A second person in this country has died after contracting the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu. Health officials say the victim, a U.S. resident, was a woman living in Texas. The first death occurred in Texas as well, however, the toddler who died had been visiting from Mexico. Today officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put the number of confirmed cases of that new influenza strain nationally at around 400 in 44 states.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says it’s okay for schools to reopen and she recommend parents keep sick children home at least seven days.
Meanwhile in Los Angeles County, the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 stands at 11. However, Director of Public Health in the county, Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, suggests there are probably many more cases, but because the symptoms mimic those of seasonal flu a lot people are not seeking treatment.
Worldwide, there are reportedly more than a thousand people in 22 nations infected with H1N1.
