According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total number of cases of Swine Flu in the U.S. is up to 896. Forty-one states have been affected, including Nevada, and two people in the U.S. have died from the virus. The three states with the most reported cases are Illinois, California and New York.
The CDC is responding to the situation by striving to reduce the spread and severity of the illness by providing information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public deal with the specific challenges associated with the illness.
Among the CDC's efforts is the PCR diagnostic test kit, developed to aide health officials in detecting the virus. The kits have been distributed to all states in the U.S. and to Puerto Rico, as well as internationally. The CDC predicts that distribution of the kits and better detection of the virus will lead to an increase in reported cases, and thus give the CDC a clearer indication of the severity of the situation.
As of May 7, 2009, the number of reported cases in Nevada was up to seven. The two most recent cases were from Northern Nevada but officials say that the cases were mild and both patients have recovered.
On April 30, 2009, Governor Gibbons issued a Press Release urging Nevada residents to take extra precautions to avoid contracting the Swine Flu. Along with the traditional precautions of washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough, the CDC has urged all U.S. residents to stay home from work or school if they feel sick, to avoid spreading the disease.