A chronological H1N1 timeline

In just a few months, the H1N1 influenza A (swine flu) virus went from virtually unknown to an omnipresent topic in the headlines of newspapers worldwide.

News of the highly contagious ailment spread nearly as quickly as the virus' transmission.

As part of our CM e-News Daily^™ Special Report, we want to provide you with as much information about the virus as possible because knowledge is power — and power gives you an advantage in keeping your facility clean and its occupants safe and, more importantly, healthy.

The following is a chronological list of major H1N1 developments:

§ March 28, 2009: First reported case of swine flu in Mexico

§ April 13, 2009: First reported swine-flu related death

§ April 17, 2009: First H1N1 cases reported in the United States

§ April 21, 2009: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns populace of a new flu strain

§ April 25, 2009: St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, New York, has more than 100 students reporting flu-like symptoms

§ April 26, 2009: A public health emergency is declared in the United States

§ May 8, 2009: The number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States reaches 2,000

§ May 11, 2009: CDC says H1N1 is spreading so quickly that they will stop reporting individual cases

§ May 20, 2009: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports more than 10,000 confirmed swine flu cases worldwide

§ June 11, 2009: WHO declares a swine flu pandemic, the first global flu pandemic in 41 years

§ August 27, 2009: As students return to dormitories, colleges and universities note spikes in confirmed cases

§ September 11, 2009: CDC notes confirmed swine flu cases in all 50 states

§ September 15, 2009: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a new H1N1 vaccine

§ October 5, 2009: High-risk groups begin receiving the inoculation

§ October 24, 2009: President Barack Obama declares H1N1 a national emergency

§ November 13, 2009: WHO reports more than 6,250 swine flu deaths worldwide, with more than 4,500 coming from the United States

§ November 8, 2009: First confirmed swine flu-related death of a domesticated animal.

In the eight months since four-year-old Edgar Hernandez, who was the first confirmed case, opened the world's eyes to the newest biological threat, numerous developments have changed swine flu from a non-existent ailment to common conversational fodder at the water cooler.

By better understanding the severity of this threat — how quickly it spreads, its ability to kill and who is susceptible — we can better prepare against and conquer it.