The dialysis community has had its first brush with the swine flu in California where a dialysis patient is being tested to determine whether or not the swine flu has been contracted, according to Kelly Mayo, project director for the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER).

There have been 91 confirmed bases on swine flu in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York City has seen 51 cases, Texas has 16 and California has 14. Seven other states have also confirmed cases. And today, it was reported that a Mexican toddler died in Texas of the swine flu.

You can stay up-to-date on the number of cases by visiting the CDC’s Swine Flu Web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. It also has tips on prevention, as well as updates and general information.

In addition, KCER has a wealth of information for the kidney disease community at its Web site www.kcercoalition.com. KCER has done an excellent job mobilizing to meet the sudden outbreak of swine flu, which originated in Mexico and has since spread worldwide.

In an email, Mayo said KCER is working closely with the CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the matter. In addition, the ESRD Networks and state health departments are involved in the efforts.

KCER is also holding daily conference calls at 2 p.m. EST to keep the renal community abreast of news and developments. For more information on how to access the calls, contact Sherilyn Burris, sburris@nw7.esrd.net. You can also say up-to-date through KCER's blog at www.kcercoalition.blogspot.com/.