As the new H1N1 "swine" flu pandemic struck Florida, state officials closed nine schools this week, including three in Hillsborough County.  All schools have now re-opened, and the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that flu cases in the U.S. have been milder than those in Mexico, where some of the first cases were reported and where more than 40 people have died from the disease.

While this is encouraging news for now, scientists say that when the second phase of a new flu strain emerges, it is often much deadlier.  It is also important to remember that even the seasonal variety of the flu that we are all acquainted with is responsible for 36,000 deaths per year in the United States. Another troubling aspect of the H1N1 flu is that it seems more likely to afflict working-age adults. Ordinary versions of the flu were more dangerous for the very young and the elderly.

So this new variety of flu is nothing that should be taken for granted, and people who may have thought they needn’t worry about past flu outbreaks should take more precautions.  The CDC still expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks.  

Timely and accurate information can help to keep you and your family healthy and will provide you with sound advice on what to do if you or a family member becomes ill with flu-like symptoms. The CDC has established a Web site that provides the most current information for the disease: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/#stay_healthy. And information specific to the State of Florida has been set up at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/DEMO/php/FluInfo.htm.

New group will focus on rural America

All of America has been hit hard by the current economic recession, but rural America -- our farms, small towns and agricultural communities -- is often hit especially hard and in different ways from the more concentrated population centers of our nation.

Recognizing this, I have been appointed to a new 15-member task force, the Rural Solutions Group, that will focus on issues facing rural America. We will work to develop positive solutions to the unique challenges facing rural America.

As someone who was born and raised in rural America, I am looking forward to working with other members of Congress from around the nation to work on these vital issues.  I will keep you informed of our progress and recommendations to Congress in the months ahead.

Sincerely yours, Adam H. Putnam,
Member of Congress