The CDC updated there estimates of H1N1 (swine flu) counts this week, now stating that there have likely been about 22 million cases of 2009 H1N1 since April 2009, about 98,000 H1N1-related hospitalizations, and about 3,900 2009 H1N1-related deaths, including about 540 deaths in children.

We got some good news too though, as the CDC also reported that 'influenza activity decreased slightly,' although there is still widespread flu activity in forty-six states. Hopefully that means that swine flu activity will continue to decrease over the next few weeks, but that doesn't mean that we are out of the woods yet and that your kids don't need to get a swine flu vaccine. Many experts are still concerned that we could see another wave of swine flu cases later this winter, so getting a swine flu vaccine and a seasonal flu vaccine now, or whenever you can, can protect your kids for the rest of this flu season.

Although swine flu vaccine has been hard to get, the CDC also reports that there is now just over 40 million doses available, with more and more vaccine available each week. That should make it easier to get a swine flu vaccine for your child now and in the weeks to come.

Related:
Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine Flu Map
Swine Flu Vaccine
Find Flu Shots

Maclaren USA, Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced the recall of about one million Maclaren strollers because the 'stroller's hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.'

There are reports of at least twelve fingertip amputations in these Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers that were sold nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360. Strollers involved in the Maclaren stroller recall have the word 'Maclaren' printed on the stroller, including the Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller Maclaren strollers.

Consumers should stop using the recalled Maclaren strollers until they can fix them with a free repair kit.

Related:
CPSC Alert:Maclaren USA Recalls to Repair Strollers Following Fingertip Amputations
Recent Recalls and Alerts
Baby Product Recalls
Strollers

Fairbank Farms has voluntarily recalled about 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef because it may be contaminated with the E.coli O157:H7 bacteria.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the CDC discovered the possible link while investigating a small cluster of E. coli infections which may have already sickened 28 people and caused at least one death.

Recalled ground beef was sold at grocery stores in the northeast and mid-Atlantic states, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont, with a sell-by date from September 19 through 28, 2009. Although already past their expiration dates, consumers who have the recalled ground beef in their freezer should not eat it and can return it for a refund. Recalled ground beef products include those sold by ACME, BJ's, Ford Brothers, Giant Food Stores, Lancaster and Wild Harvest, Price Chopper, Shaw's, and Trader Joe's.

Parents should keep in mind that in addition to people with weak immune systems, the very young can be very susceptible to food poisoning, including E. coli infections, which makes it very important that they watch for these types of recalls.

Related:
USDA: Fairbanks Farms Ground Beef Recall
Food Poisoning Symptoms
Preventing Food Poisoning
Food Storage and Food Safety
E . Coli Symptoms

In addition to turning your clocks back one hour last night, some good things to do when daylight saving time changes can include:

• changing the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
• in addition to replacing the batteries, you should consider replacing smoke alarms that are more than ten years old and carbon monoxide detectors that are more than five years old
• cleaning out your medicine cabinet to get rid of expired and unused medicines

And this can be a good time to make sure your kids are getting enough sleep, as the changes during daylight saving time can sometimes interfere with their sleep routines.