U.S. Raises Estimate of Swine Flu Deaths

An estimated 3,900 Americans have died from H1N1 (swine) flu, U.S. health officials said November 12. This revised estimate was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s nearly four times the previous count of 1,000, the Associated Press reported. About 540 of the deaths were children. About 22 million Americans have had swine flu, the CDC said. The new estimates include deaths related to complications of swine flu, such as pneumonia. Another new study found that elderly people with swine flu were more likely to die than younger people. The study looked at clinic patients in Mexico, where the pandemic began. Children and young adults were infected more often. About 1.6% of babies under age 1 died. But overall fewer than 1% of swine flu patients under age 30 died. Adult death rates gradually went up with age. About 10% of patients over 70 died.