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Jun 15, 2009 11:05 pm US/Central
Coverage Cooled, But H1N1 Flu Still Out There
(WCCO)
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Six weeks ago, it seemed like H1N1 was all any media outlet wanted to address. But when it became clear the virus wasn't as deadly as some feared, coverage waned.
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
Nearly 300 Minnesotans have gotten sick with the H1N1 virus, formerly known as swine flu. On Wednesday, the state announced its first death.
The 5-year-old girl had other, life-long medical challenges that made her more vulnerable than other people. The news of her death brought the virus back into the spotlight after it had disappeared for a week or two.
Six weeks ago, it seemed like H1N1 was all any media outlet wanted to address. But when it became clear the virus wasn't as deadly as some feared, coverage waned.
At the same, cases grew. In Minnesota, that number is up to 274 confirmed -- almost 30 new positive tests a day.
"We think the majority of cases have not been tested," said Minnesota Department of Health Medical Epidemiologist Dr. Aaron DeVries.
DeVries said the Health Department has been vigilant all along. Everyday, researchers test priority groups to make sure the virus hasn't mutated into something more deadly.
Due to limited resources, only at-risk groups are tested such as pregnant women, people in the hospital, people with underlying health problems, people who've come into contact with H1N1 and health care workers.
Since the World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert level last week, the Minnesota Department of Health said their response hasn't changed. Raising the WHO level is based on where and how quickly the virus spreads rather than how its level of severity.
Local pediatricians say they are seeing fewer potential cases now that school is out.
"I'm not hearing from parents that same level of panic," said Dr. Yasmin Khan, a pediatrician with Park Nicollet. "I'm hearing they just have questions."
Experts aren't quite sure why, but this flu tends to disproportionately affect children. Khan said most children will be OK. It's the ones with underlying health problems that require extra attention.
"For the generally healthy person, there's usually not much to be concerned about," Khan said.
Right now, the virus does not seem to be severe. But health experts worry it could become more deadly, even to healthy people.
According to Mike Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, this flu is especially worrisome because it's new, it's acting like its January and it has already spread from animals to humans. Osterholm said that makes it more likely to mutate.
"It's neither a cause for complacency or panic," Osterholm said, adding its likely more Minnesotans will die from the virus.
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