CDC now says 4,000 swine flu deaths in U.S.

By Associated Press

Summary

Federal health officials now say that 4,000 or more Americans likely have died from swine flu - about four times the estimate they've been using.

Story Published: Nov 12, 2009 at 10:54 AM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 12, 2009 at 10:54 AM PDT

CDC now says 4,000 swine flu deaths in U.S.

The swine flu virus is seen under a high-powered microscope.

ATLANTA (AP) - Federal health officials now say that 4,000 or more Americans likely have died from swine flu - about four times the estimate they've been using.

The new, higher figure was first reported by The New York Times. It includes deaths caused by complications related to swine flu, including pneumonia and bacterial infections.

Until now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had conservatively put the U.S. swine flu death count at more than 1,000. Officials said this week they're working on an even more accurate calculation.

The CDC says "many millions" of Americans have caught the pandemic flu virus since it first appeared in April.

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