Some people sighed in relief when the WHO (World Health Organization) announced July 16 that it would stop issuing global counts of confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus. Contrary to popular opinion, this did not mean that the disease has burned out.

The new flu virus was declared a pandemic on June 11th and virtually every nation in the world has reported infections. The U.S. has been especially hit hard, with one million case logged and 263 confirmed deaths. Health officials are especially concerned that the virus has struck the young at such unusually high levels – 60% of the world’s confirmed cases have occurred in people age 18 or younger.

What precautions are being taken?

Countries across the world are reacting swiftly.

• In a race to beat the flu season, medical institutes across the U.S. will begin human trials for a new H1N1 vaccine starting in early August.
• Developers in Australia have already begun testing of a vaccine in human subjects.
• The British government has advised the population to take precautions to limit the spread of disease by not sharing common vessels for food and drink. The Church of England has heeded the advice and stopped sharing the chalice at communion over the swine flu fears.

The school problem

Schools have become center points of infection since the young have been especially vulnerable to the disease. Outbreaks incubate among children in schools, then spread to the community when those go home.

American school officials have proposed closing schools as a preventative measure like New York’s Mayor Bloomberg did during the height of the epidemic in the hardest-hit city in the U.S. Experts say the move reduced a surge of infections that could have overwhelmed hospitals.

Still, the fact that flu cases are still being recorded, during a time when the virus is normally dormant, is a sign that things will get worse once the weather cools. The question is whether or not we’ll be ready.

What can you do?

Learn all the ways to protect yourself against infection and share this with your family and friends.

How can you be safe?

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid sharing cutlery and glasses.
• Use a tissue to cover mouth and nose when coughing. Dispose of the tissue immediately.
• Don't touch your mouth, eyes or nose.
• Stay away from people who are ill.
• If you are sick, stay at home.