CDC is 'worried' about swine flu; dozens die from suspected cases in Mexico

[This is regarding the teleconference this afternoon]

BY Rosemary Black
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Friday, April 24th 2009, 3:33 PM

An eighth case of swine flu in humans has been confirmed in the U.S., according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. In Mexico City and two other areas of Mexico, at least 854 people have been sickened and 62 have died from an illness that resembles the flu.

Seven previous cases already had been reported in Texas and California.

While it is not clear if the unique strain of swine flu seen in the eight cases here is responsible for the hundreds of cases of severe flu-like illness in Mexico City, federal officials are continuing to investigate. Some of the samples shipped from Mexico City to the U.S. have been confirmed as swine flu.

“We are worried,” said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the CDC, at a teleconference Friday afternoon. “Our concern has grown since yesterday.”

Asked whether the CDC had sent a team to Mexico yet, Besser said the agency expects to have one there soon. He said the CDC is working closely with state and local officials in California and Texas as well as other health and animal officials.

Though he said that at this point there are no recommendations to restrict travel to Texas, California or Mexico, Besser said that an outbreak notice would be posted advising travelers to the Mexico City area that there is an outbreak of a respiratory illness there.

The CDC has a web page with information and updates about swine flu: visit www.cdc.gov/flu/swine or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Asked whether the CDC would consider changing the current pandemic threat level in the U.S., Besser said that this was not being done at this point. Officials look at three things to see if a virus could cause a pandemic, he explained: Is it a new virus? Does it cause severe disease? Is it easily transmissible and sustainable in a population?

While the CDC continues its investigation, Besser said individuals should be looking at their own level of preparedness in case of a pandemic. Asked if people outside of Texas and California should be concerned, Besser said, “It is very important that people are paying attention to what’s going on. This is something that we are worried about.”