Cases of Influenza :: Journalism Influenza Health Essays

Cases of Influenza ST. LOUIS, Missouri.--The State Health Department has confirmed that there have been 666 new cases of influenza today, 134 more since yesterday. Also it has been confirmed, sadly, that there has been 59 deaths, up 15 since yesterday, and making the grand total at 5,067 deaths in just three weeks. 21 of the deaths recorded yesterday were of pneumonia. Thus this epidemic seems to weaken the body so much that it is not the only cause of death, pneumonia is as well. As we keep track of the new cases and of the fatal ones, they have urged the public to stay calm as they are trying to do everything in their power to put an end to this. They are spending all hours seeking the source and coming up with a cure. At a time while our boys are overseas fighting and some losing their lives, the people in St. Louis are battling their own problems with this epidemic. It almost seems the casualty numbers are mimicking each other, not to say they are suffering from the same kind of fate. Just a shame that there are two wars going on two different fronts, one overseas in Europe and the other here at home, trying to battle this disease, virus, bacteria, whatever it is. So far they are unclear as to where the disease came from and how it spreads. There have been several theories as to what the culprit is and what the public should do in response to this news. One doctor feels that people should avoid all contact with other people, closing all public arenas, and going as far as wearing masks outside. Some doctors disagree with this, claiming it is unwarranted and unnecessary. They just feel that people should be sanitary and keep a safe distance from people and areas that look unclean. Also they warn to stay away from alleyways and animals that fester in them. It might be that these dirty animals are harboring the disease and spreading it from fleas or other contagious ways. However, it has been seen that most cases of the influenza are stemming from the inner-city. There are instances of people outside of the inner-city but not as numerous. So department officials have been sent to the inner-city to gather evidence and try to track any trends stemming from the start and spread of this disease.