ought there be a regulation?

...But, the US government recently sent out a warning, expecting 50% of the country workforce to become ill and has asked it's businesses to prepare for a greatly diminished work force.

Wow, you just don't get it. 50% of the workforce will be sick. This has nothing to do with unemployment. If 50% of trained bus drivers, police, nurses, ambulance drivers, air traffic control. garbage drivers are ill, even on a rotating basis... this could paralyze cities.
But, yeah., I'm sure an unemployed banker will know what to do.....

But, the US government recently sent out a warning, expecting 50% of the country workforce to become ill and has asked it's businesses to prepare for a greatly diminished work force.

Synopsis:

During week 33 (August 16-22, 2009), influenza activity remained stable or continued to decline in most areas of the U.S. However, activity appears to be increasing in the Southeast.

A total of 8,843 hospitalizations and 556 deaths associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses have been reported to CDC an increase from 7,983 hospitalizations and 522 deaths from the prior week

During week 33:
804 (18.0%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.

99% of all subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses.

The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.

Five influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported and all were associated with a 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was below the national baseline. Region IV reported ILI above their region-specific baseline.

Two states and Puerto Rico reported geographically widespread influenza activity, 13 states reported regional influenza activity, 10 states and the District of Columbia reported local influenza activity, 24 states reported sporadic influenza activity, one state reported no influenza activity, and Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.

Geographic Spread of Influenza as Assessed by State and Territorial Epidemiologists:

The influenza activity reported by state and territorial epidemiologists indicates geographic spread of both seasonal influenza and 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses and does not measure the severity of influenza activity.

During week 33, the following influenza activity was reported:

Widespread influenza activity was reported by Puerto Rico and two states (Alaska and Georgia).

Regional influenza activity was reported by 13 states (Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and South Carolina).

Local influenza activity was reported by the District of Columbia and 10 states (Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington).

Sporadic activity was reported by 24 states (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming).

No influenza activity was reported by one state (New Hampshire).
Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.


A description of surveillance methods is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm

Page last updated August 28, 2009.
Content Source: Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases (CCID)
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)