H1N1 flu (swine flu)

WHYY has the latest on the global spread of swine flu and its impact on the Delaware Valley. Get the latest updates.

” When people say: ‘It wasn’t so bad, there were so many deaths as you said there would be.’ In public health, we say to you: ‘There weren’t so many deaths because people got vaccinated and also practiced really good hygiene with hand washing and understood in protecting yourself from disease you are protecting others about disease.’” -Marla Gold, Dean of the Drexel University School of Public Health.

Analyzing the H1N1 flu epidemic Taunya English – April 15, 2010 Health experts say: Flu viruses are hard to predict.

Seventh H1N1 death reported in Delaware Stephanie Aldrich – March 10, 2010 A 47 year old man from Kent County is the seventh person in Delaware to die from H1N1 complications.

Sixth H1N1 death reported in Delaware Stephanie Aldrich – January 7, 2010 A woman from Kent County, Delaware is the sixth person in the state to die from complications stemming from H1N1.

Swine flu cases drop — seasonal flu a no-show Kerry Grens – January 6, 2010 The pandemic H1N1 flu that killed thousands of people in recent months has sunk into a lull.

No more signs of medication-resistant H1N1 in Delaware Mark Eichmann – December 17, 2009 Cases of H1N1 were slightly up over the last week in the First State, but there’s been no evidence of more antiviral-resistant strains of the virus.

“Please, especially in these holiday seasons don’t forget the general public health rules that will also keep you well. Wash your hands often, cover your cough and sneezes and please stay home if you are sick.” – Dr. Susan Walsh, Deputy commissioner of the NJ health department.

Your chance to get the swine flu shot Taunya English – December 17, 2009 It may be easier to get the H1N1 vaccine now.

H1N1: The calm before the storm? Mark Eichmann – December 14, 2009

Drug resistant H1N1 virus found in Delaware Mark Eichmann – December 9, 2009

PA receives additional H1N1 vaccine Aaron Moselle – December 9, 2009

Thousands to go through “mass” H1N1 clinics Bill Cook – November 20, 2009

H1N1 vaccines for high risk groups in Delaware Mark Eichmann – November 18, 2009

PA offers free swine flu vaccine clinics Taunya English – November 18, 2009

 

“We’re not sure why we got it so early, our school nurse was out there really early last summer, exploring all of this, so may be we were, sort of, first in line.” – James Connor, Head of School, Germantown Academy.

Enough H1N1 vaccine to share Taunya English – November 18, 2009

5th Delaware death from H1N1 Mark Eichmann – November 16, 2009

N.J. hospitals may limit visits to prevent flu Phil Gregory – November 11, 2009

4th H1N1 death in Delaware Mark Eichmann – November 9, 2009

Few Delaware students get H1N1 vaccine on day one Mark Eichmann – November 3, 2009

 

“Some of the people who are vaccinating, especially outside of hospitals, and places like that, aren’t as well educated on who can and can’t get the vaccine.” – Obstetrician Joshua Johannson, director of the Department of Labor and Delivery at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Vaccine scarcity worries pregnant women Taunya English – November 3, 2009

Delaware students start getting H1N1 vaccine Mark Eichmann – November 2, 2009

H1N1 flu cases rise, vaccine difficult to find Scott Detrow – October 30, 2009

More than 1,000 H1N1 cases in Delaware this month Mark Eichmann – October 29, 2009

Flu causes spike in ER visits Kerry Grens – October 28, 2009

2nd Delawarean dies of H1N1 complications Mark Eichmann – October 28, 2009

H1N1 vaccine arrives slowly Taunya English – October 22, 2009

 

“This news is a reminder that while in many cases the flu can be mild, in some cases the flu can be serious, even life threatening” – Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health.

 

First Delawarean dies of H1N1 Mark Eichmann – October 22, 2009

Dwindling flu shots in Delaware Mark Eichmann – October 20, 2009

CDC recommends H1N1 vaccine for children Taunya English – October 16, 2009

Making vaccines faster Kerry Grens – October 14, 2009

69 new H1N1 cases in Delaware Mark Eichmann – October 8, 2009

 

“We’re asking everybody to be a little patient, because there’s not much vaccine out there now.” – Susan Walsh, Deputy Commissioner, NJ Dept of Health.

H1N1 vaccine arrives Kerry Grens – October 8, 2009 Swine flu vaccine is coming to a doctor’s office or health clinic near you.

Phila schools to give out H1N1 vaccine Kerry Grens – October 8, 2009 School nurses in Philadelphia gathered yesterday to receive training for something they usually don’t do: Give kids vaccines.

Officials: avoid ER for flu Kerry Grens – October 5, 2009

 

“We are recommending that pregnant women only receive the injected vaccine that does not contain any live virus.” – Dr. Neil Fishman.

Doctors urge pregnant women to take the H1N1 flu shot Taunya English – October 1, 2009

Flu vaccine is mandatory for CHOP, Penn Medicine workers Taunya English – September 29, 2009

Do hand sanitizers work? Kerry Grens – September 25, 2009

Working with a pandemic Kerry Grens – September 24, 2009

Distributing the swine flu vaccine Taunya English – September 10, 2009

 

“…unless you have a compromising medical condition, otherwise healthy college-age students will not be getting anti-viral medication.” – Marcia Nickle, Emergency preparedness coordinator at the University of Delaware.

Health officials say use anti-flu meds judiciously Taunya English – September 4, 2009

Many may refuse the flu shot Kerry Grens – August 28, 2009

Swine flu vaccine due in October Taunya English – August 27, 2009

NJ health officials plan for swine flu Phil Gregory – July 14, 2009

Feds dish out flu preparedness money Kerry Grens – July 10, 2009

States to split $350M for flu prep Kerry Grens – July 9, 2009

Sanofi will donate H1N1 vaccine Kerry Grens – June 18, 2009

Surge in local flu cases Kerry Grens – June 12, 2009

World Health Org declares flu outbreak a pandemic Kerry Grens – June 11, 2009

First swine flu death in Pennsylvania Taunya English – June 5, 2009

N.J. reports more swine flu cases Phil Gregory – May 28, 2009

Flu outbreaks continue Kerry Grens – May 15, 2009

Swine flu sinks pork sales Taunya English – May 14, 2009

How the flu kills Kerry Grens – May 7, 2009

Sanofi to ramp up flu shot production Kerry Grens – May 6, 2009  

Tracking H1N1 in PA Taunya English – May 6, 2009

“The period of contagion is one day PRIOR to the onset of symptoms and then in most adults, a total of 7 days or until symptoms resolve. Children appear to be in a contagious phase a bit longer- up to 10 days.” – Dr. Marla Gold.

Q & A on H1N1 (swine) flu with Dr. Marla Gold Kerry Grens – May 4, 2009

Anxiety spreads along with swine flu Maiken Scott – May 4, 2009  

Schools are on watch for swine flu Bill Cook – May 1, 2009  

Docs reassure the “worried well” Taunya English – May 1, 2009  

Naming the new flu Taunya English – May 1, 2009  

H1N1 vaccine production in earliest stages Kerry Grens – May 1, 2009  

H1N1 flu confirmed locally Kerry Grens – May 1, 2009  

Conserving the anti-flu supplies Taunya English – May 1, 2009

Flu meds en route Kerry Grens – April 29, 2009  

Testing technology coming to states Taunya English – April 29, 2009  

Flu pursuit a “marathon” Kerry Grens – April 29, 2009

Del. beefs up Swine Flu efforts Bill Cook – April 28, 2009  

Preparing for swine flu Taunya English – April 27, 2009  

Docs looking for swine flu signs Taunya English – April 27, 2009  

Delaware Valley ready with antiviral meds Taunya English – April 27, 2009  

Hospitals prep for swine flu Kerry Grens – April 27, 2009

 

What you should do: Health officials urge people to wash their hands frequently, contact a doctor if they feel ill, and avoid contact with people who are sick. P.J. Brennan, chief medical officer of Penn Health System and an infectious disease doctor, recommends against the emergency room if a person has the sniffles.