The Public Health Agency of Canada wants pregnant women to know that they are at greater risk than the general public of developing complications, which could lead to miscarriages if they catch the H1N1 influenza virus.(Swine Flu)

"While pregnant women are not more likely to get H1N1, they are at greater risk for complications from the flu," chief public health officer Dr. David Butler-Jones said during a conference call yesterday.

 

Butler-Jones said problems could include early delivery and miscarriage.

"It’s recommended that pregnant women be even more vigilant with hand washing and using hand sanitizer," Butler-Jones said. "Pregnant women should think about avoiding crowds, but they can certainly continue normal activities like going to work, shopping at the mall or attending worship services."

Seven more people infected with the H1N1 virus have died in Ontario, bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 14, officials said yesterday.

Worldwide Summary of Statistics:

• Official US Total(According to CDC): 37217 cases, 236 deaths
• Unofficial US Total(Other Reliable Sources): 37441 cases, 236 deaths
• Worldwide Total(Various Reliable Sources): 119062 cases, 642 deaths
• Most Infected States(According to CDC): Wisconsin: 6031 cases, Texas: 4463 cases, Illinois: 3259 cases
• Most Infected Countries(Various Reliable Sources):United States: 37217 cases, Mexico: 11699 cases, Canada: 9747 cases

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A pregnant woman, who was admitted to hospital in Scotland after contracting swine flu, has given birth prematurely.

The baby was born on Monday afternoon, at 29 weeks’ gestation. The child is stable and in intensive care.

The 38-year-old mother, who is said to be critically ill, is one of several people in hospital with the virus.

The total number of swine flu cases in the UK reached 508 after another 49 cases were confirmed on Friday.

The virus is now in 66 countries, with the majority of cases – including 117 deaths – in Mexico and the US.

The World Health Organization warned it was “getting closer” to declaring a global outbreak.

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The first US citizen to die of swine flu was a pregnant Texas teacher who went into a coma but managed to deliver a healthy girl just before the virus killed her.

Judy Trunnell, 33, was eight months pregnant when she got sick April 14, when the flu outbreak was just beginning to come to light in Mexico.

She was hospitalized five days later and put on life support because she couldn’t breathe, but soon slipped into a coma.

Judy’s baby was delivered by C-section shortly before she died yesterday. This mom was teacher of disabled children at Travis Elementary in Mercedes, Texas. She also had a four-year-old daughter.

The CDC says there are 642 cases in 41 states, up from 403 in 38 states a day before.

Worldwide, the WHO reports 1516 cases in 22 countries.My heart goes out to this family.

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