Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Swine Flu Widespread, But Possible Key to Survival Found
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 2, 2009
Modified Oct 2, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 2, 2009
Modified Oct 2, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Swine flu has spread nationwide, and cases are rapidly rising in many parts of the country, according to an announcement yesterday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is significant flu activity in virtually all states," says Dr. Anne Schuch at the CDC. "It's quite unusual for this time of year." It was also announced yesterday that a 23-year-old recruit in basic training in Fort Jackson, S.C., has become the Army’s first swine flu death. Specialist Christopher M. Hog died of pneumonia on September 10th, and swine flu was found on autopsy.
936 Americans have died of flu-related symptoms or pneumonia since August 30th, compared with the 36,000 that die annually of seasonal flu. But what's troubling is that the recent deaths are hitting age groups that do not normally succumb, and the regular flu season doesn't even start until November.
More than 99 percent of all swine flu cases are mild to moderate, but people with health problems and children are at higher risk. Here in New York, the city has added a new "Influenza Portal" to the Health Department website. Step inside, swine-curious friend.
It's getting extreme out there: a hospital in Austin erected two tents in its parking lot to handle emergency room visits, and several North Carolina hospitals have barred children altogether. Yesterday federal health officials released Tamiflu for children from the national stockpile and began taking orders from states for the new swine flu vaccine. In a recent survey, half of all parents said they were worried about the flu, but only 35 percent would definitely have their children vaccinated. Many worry that the vaccine is new and untested, a misconception the CDC is struggling to correct.
There may be a bit of good news in all this. Dr. Schuch tells the Times that scientists studying lung samples from 77 fatal swine flu cases have found that in about a third of the cases, the patient had died not from flu alone, but from bacteria that infiltrate when flu inflames the lungs. Most infections were a common bacteria for which there is a vaccine. Anyone with chronic heart and lung problems is especially encouraged to get this vaccine.
Tagged
cdc
nyc
shot
swine flu
us
vaccine
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans. We could get used to this.
Seeing high hopes dashed had become so routine, it was part of our identity. This year feels different.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
Some regulars at the East Village park want to preserve its not-so-fancy offerings.
By
Willow Higgins
News
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
Some regulars at the East Village park want to preserve its not-so-fancy offerings.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
By
Samantha Max
Inside the plan to fix the nearly collapsed Pfizer Building, 1/64th of an inch at a time
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .