Ninety nine percent of all of the influenza viruses identified by the CDC so far are 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. According to the agency, 21 states are currently reporting widespread influenza activity

The H1N1 pandemic poses serious challenges to our hospitals, and we ™re hopeful this event log will help our emergency coordinators deal with the surge more effectively, said Michael Osur, deputy director of the Riverside County Department of Public Health. State health officials have said most of the current flu cases in the state have been H1N1, and a significant increase is expected in the fall.

As hospitals across the country brace for the anticipated H1N1 patient surge, it will be critical that hospitals and their communities are prepared with detailed plans on how to handle the surge. This would include the need to share information in a timely manner, said Anthony Burke, CEO and President of the American Hospital Associations Solutions Inc.

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