2009 swine flu pandemic in the United States

The CDC noted that this differed greatly from typical seasonal influenza epidemics, during which about 70% to 90% of deaths are estimated to occur in people 65 years and older.

On February 12, the CDC reported 57 million Americans had been sickened, 257,000 had been hospitalized and 11,690 people had died (including 1,180 children) due to flu from April through to mid-January.

[133][134] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the first two A/09(H1N1) swine flu cases in California on April 17, 2009, via the Border Infectious Disease Program,[135] for a San Diego County child, and a naval research facility studying a special diagnostic test, where influenza sample from the child from Imperial County was tested.

[136] By April 21, enhanced surveillance was established to search for additional cases in both California and Texas and the CDC determined that the virus strain was genetically similar to the previously known A(H1N1) swine flu circulating among pigs in the United States since about 1999.

[citation needed] On April 28, 2009, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first official US death of swine flu.

Tests confirmed that a 23-month-old toddler from Mexico, who was probably infected there, died on April 27 from the flu while visiting Texas.

[138] Cases of H1N1 spread rapidly across the United States, with particularly severe outbreaks in Texas, New York, Utah, and California.

[citation needed] In early October 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that swine flu was widespread across the country.

On October 1, it was acknowledged that a recruit in basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, was the Army's first swine flu death.

of Health and Human Services released 300,000 courses of children's liquid Tamiflu from the national pandemic stockpile in late September, with the first batches sent to Texas and Colorado.

[149] In mid-October, it was reported that flu caused by the H1N1 virus was widespread in 41 states, and flu-like illnesses accounted for 6.1 percent of all doctor visits, which was considered high[citation needed], particularly for October.

As of November 20, 2009, the CDC reported sharp declines in H1N1 activity throughout the United States, with influenza-like illness (which may also include meningitis, pneumonia, strep pharyngitis, gastroenteritis, and the common cold) accounting for 5.5% of doctors visits, down sharply from 8% in late October, the peak of the second wave.

In April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expressed serious concerns that the new strain had the potential to become an influenza pandemic.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano noted that this declaration was standard operating procedure, which was also done for the 2009 presidential inauguration and for flooding.

"[168] President Barack Obama stated that "We are closely monitoring the emerging cases of swine flu."

The President had not yet made appointments to either the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, the Surgeon General, or the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[172] On April 30, it was reported that an aide to Steven Chu, the US Energy Secretary, had fallen ill from the virus after helping arrange President Obama's trip to Mexico.

[176] The declaration made it easier for U.S. medical facilities to handle a surge in flu patients by allowing the waiver of some requirements of Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health insurance programs as needed.

During the week of April 19, 2009, the CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), with RADM Stephen Redd as the Incident Commander, to augment the ongoing investigation of human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1).

It was expected this would generate an increase in the number of confirmed cases as more states began doing their own tests.

[182] In the United States, the majority of the 70 National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) laboratories do not report the influenza A subtype.

[citation needed] Initially the CDC had issued a recommendation that schools close for as long as two weeks if a student catches swine flu.

[184] The CDC amended its advice, citing new information on disease severity and the limiting effectiveness of school closure as a control measure.

"[185] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized emergency use of medicines and diagnostic tests for flu.

[188] The FDA also issued a warning for consumers to be wary of products claiming to cure or prevent swine flu.

[189] Secretary Napolitano stated that DHS was the principal federal office for incidents such as the H1N1 flu outbreak, and "Under that role, we have been leading a true collaborative effort.

[193] The Department of Commerce sent a letter to Russia and China requesting that those countries lift their ban on American pork products.

[194] The Department of Defense (DOD) monitored the swine flu situation and had contingency plans to deal with such outbreaks.

[196] The Department of Education provided guidance to schools in the US affected by swine flu, as well as precautions to take.

[200] On May 5, Kathleen Sebelius stated in a CDC news conference that school closures for single confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza were unnecessary, but that children displaying an influenza-like illness should stay home.