The swine flu virus is rapidly spreading across the United States. Last week, only four states were reported with confirmed outbreaks, this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that cases of influenza has become a widespread in thirty-three states including New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Alaska, Louisiana, Virginia, Alabama, and Wyoming, among others.
CDC confirmed that the swine flu also known as H1N1 is currently resurfacing after its terrible pandemic status in 2009 which led to the death of 12,000 Americans then.
Because of this deadly outbreak, health officials are now encouraging everyone to at least get a seasonal flu shot so as to counter any effects brought about by any form of exposure. The flu shot is said to trigger the production of antibodies that will help fight the H1N1 strain.
As of late, numerous specimens are being tested by the World Health Organization and surprisingly 64 percent of these samples tested positive for the swine flu virus.
H1N1 is actually a flu that started in pigs that managed to spread among humans through several modes of infection.
Early reports claim that pigs that are kept in unsanitary condition are at high risk of contracting the said flu virus.
"This year, because it's an H1N1 season so far, we are seeing more infections in younger adults, and some of these folks have underlying conditions that put them at risk for hospitalization or death," a CDC expert said.
CNN reported that according to several experts, swine flu activity is expected to increase nationally over the next few weeks, and is even expected to reach peak levels within the first two months of 2014.
