The swine (H1N1) flu continues to spread, and despite being less severe than originally feared, it does appear to have a slightly higher death rate than the seasonal flu, according to the CDC. The novel flu virus has claimed six lives to date in the U.S., including three in Texas, one in Arizona, one in Washington, and most recently one in New York.

The latest reports show probable or confirmed cases in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Meanwhile, the travel advisory for Mexico has been downgraded by the CDC. As the situation there has eased in many places, the advisory to cancel all unessential travel, has been replaced with a recommendation that people with high risk of severe complications from flu, including young children, seniors, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions, talk to their doctors before traveling there, to see if they should postpone their trip.

The swine flu still appears to be a greater risk for those who have underlying medical problems, but health officials also note that young people are so far more likely to contract the flu, and that those under 20 years of age have been a disproportionately hospitalized for flu symptoms. It still remains unknown if older people have some form of protection from previous contact with a similar virus, or if its greater impact on the young stems from the outbreak starting in those communities.

We’ll continue to follow the investigation, but for now, it still makes sense for Americans to be engaged and practicing increased preventative measures including: