The CDC put out some new H1N1 numbers on Friday: on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The data span the period from April 2009 to 16 January 2010. The CDC emphasizes that its numbers are estimates based on a “nationwide surveillance system” and “statistical modeling.” It’s impossible to generate exact numbers for several reasons:
[M]any people with flu don’t seek medical care and only a small number of those that do seek care are tested. More people who are hospitalized or die of flu-related causes are tested and reported, but under-reporting of hospitalizations and deaths occurs as well.”
With those caveats, here are the estimated numbers:
CDC estimates that between 41 million and 84 million cases of 2009 H1N1 occurred between April 2009 and January 16, 2010. The mid-level in this range is about 57 million people infected with 2009 H1N1. CDC estimates that between about 183,000 and 378,000 H1N1-related hospitalizations occurred between April 2009 and January 16, 2010. The mid-level in this range is about 257,000 2009 H1N1-related hospitalizations. CDC estimates that between about 8,330 and 17,160 2009 H1N1-related deaths occurred between April 2009 and January 16, 2010. The mid-level in this range is about 11,690 2009 H1N1-related deaths.
To find a more detailed chart showing the numbers for three different age ranges (0-17 years, 18-64 years, 65 years and older), click here. This chart is especially interesting because it illustrates how strongly h1n1 has affected young people. The same page also explains the methodology CDC uses to generate its H1N1 data.
