There was 18,903 total influenza / flu deaths from the year 1979- 2001 .
I will, however, stand by my contention that the estimates from the WHO and the CDC do not reflect case-by-case real world testing of everyone who has flu-like symptoms. They are estimates. As such, they take a lot for granted and are grossly misleading, if not rather inaccurate.
Please bear in mind that both the WHO and the CDC do not officially acknowledge any A/H1N1 case unless it has been confirmed by medical testing. Yet, the infection rate estimates for seasonal flu are not based upon testing of every single individual who has flu-like symptoms. According to data from the CDC itself, only a few hundred thousand people actually test positive for influenza in the United States each year. Apparently, many millions of Americans with flu-like symptoms are either not tested by their physicians or do not seek medical care at all. Therefore, they can not legitimately be counted as flu cases.
Again, according the the CDCs own reports, seasonal flu has been the official cause of death for an average of only 1,263 deaths per year from 1979 though 2006. Considering this very low number, I think it is irresponsible, if not unethical, to imply that influenza is a contributing cause of 36,000 deaths in the United States each year.
That was posted at the below forum by a doctor .
This is another poster posting
at the PANDEMIC FLU INFORMATION FORUM
who wrote this informative article
http://www.singtomeohmuse.com/viewtopic.php?t=3577&start=0
Death Rate of Regular Seasonal flu and Swine Flu compared
In 2003 the CDC starting claiming that 36,000 people a year died from regular flu. This number is constantly compared to the current pandemic to persuade people not to panic or be concerned. Where did this number come from?
According to twenty years worth of cause of death reporting data from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza is the official cause of death for an average of 1,263 people in the United States each year. Indeed, the CDCs most recent official tally of death by influenza indicates that only 849 people died of influenza in 2006. These very low numbers would seem to contradict the often cited figure of 36,000 flu-related deaths per year in the United States, which appears on the CDCs own web site.
The 36,000 number comes from statistical modeling; comparing pneumonia or other similar deaths in the winter and summer. It is not derived from numbers of people known to have died from flu, or people tested for flu, or even generalized lists of people dying from flu. Additionally, 95% of flu deaths are of people above the age of 65, and
most are even older. They are people who are already near death from others causes, seem to get sick with something and die.
On the other hand, the people really dying from swine flu are mostly younger people, many of who are perfectly healthy. It is true that swine flu is easier to catch as no one has ever had it before and therefore has no immunity to it.
You’re up to your ears in B.S. I provided the link. Use it.