Swine Flu: Not Gone, but Lately Forgotten in the Media?

Two new swine flu developments today remind us that this pandemic is still very much with us, despite its near-absence lately in the mainstream media. Reuters reports that H1N1 cases have been confirmed in all 50 states and that more than 10,000 people have been infected with the virus (you can check out the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's official state-by-state count here). California public health officials today also reported the state's first two swine flu deaths, in Los Angeles and San Bernadino counties.

California reporters, it's a good time to check in with your public health department about how they're affected by the state's dismal budget picture. What could the impact be on swine flu surveillance, among other critical public health functions? For a statewide perspective, call the Health Officers Association of California and the California Conference of Local Health Officers. For a handy list of links to all local public health departments in California, click here.

ReportingonHealth has updated its swine flu resources, which you'll find here. I'd be interested to see your coverage of swine flu in your community and would like to share it with others in this blog, so feel free to post links in the comments below or email me through my profile.