(April 25, 2009) -- The CDC and CA Dept. of Health confirmed today (April 25) that a seventh person in CA has contracted swine flu -- transmitted by person to person contact. All of the CA cases to date are from San Diego and Imperial Counties (areas bordering Mexico) and have recovered...but Bloomberg.com reports that at least 20 deaths in Mexico are confirmed from the swine flu; 68 deaths may be attributable to the virus...and as many as 1,000 people in the Mexico City area are showing symptoms.

Mexico City museums, theaters and other venues have shut down voluntarily; Mexico City area schools were closed last week are expected to remain so in the coming week.

The CA Dept. of Health Services told Reuters on Saturday (April 25) that CA's most recent case involves an Imperial County woman (age 35) who was hospitalized for a week in the most serious case found in CA to date. 11 cases have been confirmed nationally to date (7 in CA + 2 in Texas + 2 in Kansas) with more cases suspected and being investigated.

Further on CA Health officials ramping up testing for swine fly via SacBee.com, click here.

The new H1N1 flu strain appears to be a mixture of swine, human and avian flu viruses...and the Director General of the World Health Organization says it has pandemic "potential" (because it is an animal strain of the H1N1 virus that is infecting people)...while adding that it's too early to say whether it will rise to that level.

As reported Friday (April 24) by LBReport.com, LB Health Officer Dr. Helene Calvet said what's happening is a big deal...because the virus appears to be spread from person to person, there have been fatalities...and from what's known thus far it appears to be caused by the same virus."

On April 24, the LB Health Dept. issued a release with the following recommendations:

The Health Department encourages people to practice the following healthy habits to prevent catching or spreading the flu:

• Wash hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer frequently
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home from work or school if you are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into clothing (sleeves)
• Eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, exercise, get plenty of rest, do not smoke and avoid alcoholic beverages

Asked by reporters in a a Friday (April 24) webcast what people in CA should do, CDC Acting Director Dr. Richard Besser said "I think it's very important that people pay attention. The situation is developing quickly..."

To access CDC's web page on Swine Flu (which has multiple links to swine flu issues), click here.

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