Swine Flu Extends Reach, Sickens Hundreds in New York (Update1)

[FarCenter]

By Tom Randall

April 29 (Bloomberg) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said hundreds of students in his city are sick with suspected cases of swine flu, an indication the disease may be taking root in countries outside Mexico.

President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion in new funding to brace for an outbreak, according to a White House spokesman. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency to help the most populous U.S. state prepare. New York accounts for 45 of 65 confirmed cases in six states.

The virus toll has been highest in Mexico, where more than 150 may have died from the malady, though only 26 cases have been confirmed through tests. Many cases in the U.S. were confirmed with samples taken routinely from patients with respiratory infections before the outbreak was known, and more may be coming, said Tim Uyeki, a disease tracker at the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s flu division.

“The way these confirmed cases are coming to light initially is that these people are seeking medical care,” Uyeki said in an interview on April 27. “If we look at most influenza seasons, most people don’t get treated.”

<snip> http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aQh8zY5ZvltM&refer=home

[Hannah Bell]

1. The headline is misleading: "suspected cases". iow, they don't know.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Well I do hope the virologist quoted at the end is right

bless his heart

A gentle pandemic

[FedUpWithIt All]

3. There are several hospitalized today as well

NEW YORK (AP) — At least seven people were in U.S. hospitals with swine flu as the number of cases nationwide rose to 64 on Tuesday

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gypVZz9TCTG1Lf1snAmsMMOXCEdwD97RNRJ00