WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/07/2009) - As of 06:00 GMT, 7 May 2009, 23 countries have officially reported 2099 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. Mexico has reported 1112 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 42 deaths. The United States has now reported 896 laboratory confirmed human cases, including two deaths. The latest Wisconsin figures released as of mid-day today, show 176 probable cases in the state, however, only 26 have been confirmed as the so-called Swine Flu.

Wisconsin's "confirmed" cases of the current outbreak of influenza include: 1 in Adams County, 1 in Brown County, 5 in Dane County, 1 in Dunn County, 9 in Milwaukee County, 2 in Ozaukee County, 3 in Rock County, 2 in Sheboygan County, and 2 in Waukesha County.

Of the "probable" cases of the Swine Flu, 1 is in Jefferson County, 122 in Milwaukee County, 1 in Polk County, 3 in Racine County, 2 in Rock County, 1 in Sheboygan County, 7 in Waukesha County, and there are 38 probable cases pending, according to official statistics.

There have still been no deaths from H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Wisconsin

The World Health Organization says the following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (201), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (5), Germany (9), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (5), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (5), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (2), Spain (73), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (28).

WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this new H1N1 virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time but it’s possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza.

People at higher risk of serious complications from seasonal flu include people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV).

If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. You should stay home and avoid contact with other persons, except to seek medical care. If you leave the house to seek medical care, wear a mask or cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. In general you should avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness.

At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

Health agencies have expressed opinions that the spread of so-called Swine Flu does not take place as the result of eating pork products, and, the American Farm Bureau assures the public that pork products are safe to eat.

Only 7 contiguous states have not reported confirmed cases of the flu at this time. They are Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.