Texas toddler is first swine flu death in U.S.
CDC chief: 'Even though we've been expecting this, it is very, very sad'
breaking news
msnbc.com and NBC News
updated 42 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - After officials confirmed the death of a 23-month-old child in Texas from the new strain of swine flu on Wednesday, President Obama said schools should consider closing if the spread worsens. The toddler is the first fatality from the condition reported outside Mexico.
Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confirmed the fatality during an interview with NBC News.
Besser told NBC's TODAY show that he didn't believe "this indicates any change in the strain of the flu."
Sixty-six infections had been reported in the United States before the report of the toddler's death in Texas.
"Even though we've been expecting this, it is very, very sad," Besser added. "As a pediatrician and a parent, my heart goes out to the family."
Besser said authorities essentially are still "trying to learn more about this strain of the flu."
"It's very important that people take their concern and channel it into action," Besser said, adding that "it is crucial that people understand what they need to do if symptoms appear.
Besser went on to note that even with seasonal flu, there are always some people who can’t resist it very well, and said authorities need to learn more about the threat.
The world has no vaccine to prevent infection but U.S. health officials aim to have a key ingredient for one ready in early May, the big step that vaccine manufacturers are awaiting.
But even if the World Health Organization ordered up emergency vaccine supplies — and that decision hasn't been made yet — it would take at least two more months to produce the initial shots needed for human safety testing
We're working together at 100 miles an hour to get material that will be useful," Dr. Jesse Goodman, who oversees the Food and Drug Administration's swine flu work, told The Associated Press.
The U.S. is shipping to states not only enough anti-flu medication for 11 million people, but also masks, hospital supplies and flu test kits. President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funds to help build more drug stockpiles and monitor future cases, as well as help international efforts to avoid a full-fledged pandemic.
Nearly a week after the threat of a pandemic emerged in Mexico, that country remained the hardest hit, with more than 150 killed and 2,400 people sickened. Cases have also been confirmed in Canada, New Zealand, Israel, Britain, Spain and Germany.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Texas tot is first swine flu death in U.S. - Swine flu- msnbc.com
CDC chief: 'Even though we've been expecting this, it is very, very sad'
breaking news
msnbc.com and NBC News
updated 42 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - After officials confirmed the death of a 23-month-old child in Texas from the new strain of swine flu on Wednesday, President Obama said schools should consider closing if the spread worsens. The toddler is the first fatality from the condition reported outside Mexico.
Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confirmed the fatality during an interview with NBC News.
Besser told NBC's TODAY show that he didn't believe "this indicates any change in the strain of the flu."
Sixty-six infections had been reported in the United States before the report of the toddler's death in Texas.
"Even though we've been expecting this, it is very, very sad," Besser added. "As a pediatrician and a parent, my heart goes out to the family."
Besser said authorities essentially are still "trying to learn more about this strain of the flu."
"It's very important that people take their concern and channel it into action," Besser said, adding that "it is crucial that people understand what they need to do if symptoms appear.
Besser went on to note that even with seasonal flu, there are always some people who can’t resist it very well, and said authorities need to learn more about the threat.
The world has no vaccine to prevent infection but U.S. health officials aim to have a key ingredient for one ready in early May, the big step that vaccine manufacturers are awaiting.
But even if the World Health Organization ordered up emergency vaccine supplies — and that decision hasn't been made yet — it would take at least two more months to produce the initial shots needed for human safety testing
We're working together at 100 miles an hour to get material that will be useful," Dr. Jesse Goodman, who oversees the Food and Drug Administration's swine flu work, told The Associated Press.
The U.S. is shipping to states not only enough anti-flu medication for 11 million people, but also masks, hospital supplies and flu test kits. President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funds to help build more drug stockpiles and monitor future cases, as well as help international efforts to avoid a full-fledged pandemic.
Nearly a week after the threat of a pandemic emerged in Mexico, that country remained the hardest hit, with more than 150 killed and 2,400 people sickened. Cases have also been confirmed in Canada, New Zealand, Israel, Britain, Spain and Germany.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Texas tot is first swine flu death in U.S. - Swine flu- msnbc.com
