OK, time for your H1N1 flu update.

The number of states reporting widespread outbreak of the H1N1 flu is down over the last week. This is good for those traveling.

We still are in flu season though, and it is good to remain cautious. That is why WETKEYS makes products designed to be washable and disinfectable.

So this holiday season, grab yourself a WETKEYS keyboard and mouse and stay healthy!

(USA Today) — The only thing experts can say for sure about this flu season is that it will be unlike any other, with multiple flu viruses circulating, one of which most people are defenseless against. “This year we are in uncharted territory,” says Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Thomas Frieden. “What will happen in the coming weeks and months will only become clear in the weeks and months ahead.” Here is a handy guide to prepare for flu season by USA TODAY’s Steve Sternberg, compiled from information provided by the CDC and other sources.

What is Novel H1N1 (swine flu)?

It is an influenza virus that has never been seen in humans before and is spreading around the world. On June 11, the World Health Organization issued its highest form of global public health alert when it labeled the disease a pandemic.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Most people recover without hospitalization, but some people get so sick they need intensive care, and some of those don’t survive.

Can I protect myself from getting sick?

Get vaccinated. Vaccine for H1N1 flu is due in October, although certain groups are asked to move toward the head of the line. Vaccine for seasonal flu is available now. Public health experts advise adults and children to get both vaccines, because seasonal flu, by itself, kills 36,000 people a year and causes 200,000 hospitalizations. Jon McCullers of St. Jude’s Children’s Research also recommends that children get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, which has been a major cause of deaths in previous flu epidemics.

Who should get vaccine?

• The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends swine flu vaccination for pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old, health care workers, young people ages 6 months to 24 years and people 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions or weakened immunity. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has urged health workers and people who care for infants to get vaccinated, because they so often come in contact with those who are most vulnerable to severe flu complications. “The best way to protect babies is to protect those who come in close contact with them,” she says.

• Seasonal vaccine is recommended for infants and young people 6 months to 19 years old; people caring for infants up to 6 months old; pregnant women, people 50 and older, people with chronic disease, health care workers and others who want to reduce their risk of getting sick.

Is vaccine the only option?

No, it’s the most reliable option. But the CDC recommends these common-sense approaches:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw out dirty tissues immediately.

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol hand sanitizers are effective.

• Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

• If you’re sick with flulike illness, keep away from others to keep from making them sick.

• Avoid close contact with sick people, if possible.

A washable keyboard and mice are another great way to help protect yourself from the flu. Cleanable keyboards from WETKEYS, can be easily sanitized and cleaned with virtually and cleaning solution, or even just soap and water. Keeping your washable keyboard clean can really help strengthen your hand-washing efforts.

USA Today – Americans are taking swine flu more seriously now than they did last spring, when the emerging pandemic began causing widespread illness and shuttering schools in several states, the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows.

The poll of 1,007 adults Wednesday found that one in three people believe they or a family member probably will contract H1NI flu, up from one in five in May. Seventeen percent say they worried yesterday that they would get flu, up from 8% in June. Sixty-one percent now accept the government’s reckoning of swine flu’s risks, up 5% since May. A majority of people, 55%, say for the first time that they will get vaccinated, up 9%.

The risk groups for swine and seasonal influenza differ, research shows; more swine flu cases are concentrated among children and young people.

A Chicago Department of Public Health study of 1,557 cases of swine flu released Thursday by the CDC shows that children ages 5 to 14 had 14 times the infection rate of adults 60 and older.

The number of flu cases continues to increase – stay protected against the flu. Wash your keyboard along with your hands. Washable keyboards can tolerate being fully submerged in cleaning solution, or simply being sprayed with disinfectant. Get a sanitary keyboard to strengthen your hand washing efforts and help eliminate germs this flu season. WETKEYS has a great selection of washable keyboards and mice for any computer user. 

Americans are getting serious about swine flu

The Obama administration warned Americans on Thursday to be ready for an aggressive return of the swine flu virus in the fall, reported The NewYork Times.  “This flu is not over,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the new head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, describing its continuing spread in more than 50 summer camps

Proper hygiene includes washing your hands often. Protect yourself against the virus, get a hygienic keyboard to maximize hand-washing efforts. Washable keyboards have proven to eliminate infectious germs. Get a quality, low-priced keyboard at WETKEYS.com.

 Obama Warns of Return of Swine Flu in the Fall

U.S. health agencies and officials meet today to discuss H1N1 “swine” flu preparation and prevention methods for the fall flu season. “Prevention is everyone’s business. Parents, children, teachers, school leaders, communities, government and businesses, we need do our part individually and collectively prevent the spread of the flu virus,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. A washable keyboard and mouse help control the spread of germs. They are easily disinfected and can be fully submerged in cleaning solution. 

WASHINGTON-The White House today announced that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan will host an all-day H1N1 Flu Preparedness Summit with states to further prepare this nation for the possibility of a more severe outbreak of H1N1 flu.  The Summit will be held on July 9, 2009 at the Natcher Conference Center at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

The White House Announces H1N1 Flu Preparedness Summit

The H1N1 “swine” flu continues spreading internationally.  Bloomberg reported that New Zealand is experiencing the worst influenza season in over a decade. Stay healthy- proper hygiene includes frequent hand washing and using a washable keyboard and mouse that can be easily disinfected to reduce the chance of contracting infections.

July 9 (Bloomberg) — New Zealand is suffering the worst influenza season in more than a decade, spurred by a surge in cases of swine flu, which is supplanting the winter strains, according to a report by the country’s health department.

Doctors reported 183.7 cases of flu-like illness per 100,000 people across the country in the week ended July 5, the Institute of Environmental Science and Research and National Influenza Centre said in a report today. The rate is about double last year’s peak.

Cases of flu have climbed as the H1N1 pandemic virus spread across New Zealand. Tests on viruses collected by doctors in the country’s flu surveillance network last week showed 80 percent were the new strain, compared with 48 percent the previous week. The usual seasonal strains now account for about 20 percent of flu viruses tested, the report said.

“Flu activity has reached the point of being the highest in 12 years,” said Sue Huang, director of the National Influenza Centre, in a telephone interview today. “It keeps going up, and the season hasn’t really peaked yet.”

Fran McGrath, New Zealand’s deputy-director of public health, announced the country’s fifth fatality from the pandemic virus yesterday.

“For most people who get influenza this winter, it will be a mild to moderate illness and they will recover at home without needing medical treatment,” McGrath said in a statement on the health ministry’s Web site. “People who are at higher risk of more serious illness from influenza are those who have other significant health conditions.”

New Zealand Is Suffering Worst Flu Season in Decade

The spread of the H1N1 “Swine” Flu spread continues to make headlines. Bloomberg reported that South Korea plans to secure enough of the vaccine for 13 million people, almost 1/3 of the population. South Korea has confirmed over 230 cases of the H1N1Flu and has closed two schools to date to help prevent the continued spread. 

 Washing hands and disinfecting shared appliances are highly recommended in defense of the H1N1 Flu. I got this great, washable keyboard at WETKEYS.com; cleaning washable keyboards has proven to eliminate harmful bacteria. Once I heard about the scares of swine flu, I decided to get one. Washing my keyboard daily makes me feel protected. You should get one too!

South Korea to Amass Swine Flu Vaccine for 13 Million