CNN Political Ticker
844 days ago

Congressman contracts swine flu

Deirdre Walsh
The H1N1 virus commonly known as 'swine flu' has hit Capitol Hill.
The H1N1 virus commonly known as 'swine flu' has hit Capitol Hill.

(CNN) – The H1N1 virus commonly known as 'swine flu' has hit Capitol Hill.

Rep. Greg Walden, a Republican from Oregon, tweeted Monday evening a doctor diagnosed him with the virus and is heading off to "seclusion for a while."

Andrew Whelan, Walden's press secretary, confirmed to CNN the congressman has fallen victim to swine flu and is following his doctor's orders to "get some rest and take it easy."

Walden appears to be the first member of Congress to come down with H1N1, though other representatives have said their children have contracted the virus.

CNN's Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report


Filed under: Popular Posts • Swine Flu
soundoff (75 Responses)
  1. We Won Get Over It

    and GUESS WHAT he has the best health care available, paid for the by the American taxpayer....Gee if we could only yank that safety net out from under some of those republicans for a month or two maybe they would realize what a lot of American citizens without THAT HEALTH INSURANCE are going thru.

    October 21, 2009 12:29 pm at 12:29 pm |
  2. Some republican guy

    Don't let them fool you!!! Swine flu was developed in the secret underground laboratory of the narcisstic obamabots!!!! They tell you their giving your grandbabies the vaccine. Then a week later one of your grandbabies is stomping around the house in a Chay Guevaro t-shirt and a buray hat shouting "workers of the world unite" and your other grandbaby is trying to explain to anybody who listens about how the proletarians are being exploited!!!!! Then your grandbabies turn you in to the illegle aliens and union thugs from ACORN for having an assault rifle!!! And then they take you in front of the death panel!!!!! You know how to avoid all this? If anybody tries to give you the vaccine, ask to see there birth certificate. If they can't produce one guess what? Their an obamabot!!!!!!Be afraid. Be very afraid!!!!!!!! Have a nice day!

    October 21, 2009 12:32 pm at 12:32 pm |
  3. victim of republican greed

    Hope he can get back soon so he can vote against helping Americans.

    October 21, 2009 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |
  4. Change_Has_Begun

    Lucky you...you have health care...hope this will make you think about others...

    October 21, 2009 12:35 pm at 12:35 pm |
  5. republicans hate america

    who paid for his doctor visit?

    October 21, 2009 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |
  6. Jake

    maybe this will inspire him to motivate the rest of his party to stop getting in the way of healthcare overhaul?

    October 21, 2009 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |
  7. Dominican mama 4 Obama

    You gotta stay away from filthy politicians. Good luck with that, and get well soon.

    October 21, 2009 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |
  8. Kate in San Diego

    Get well soon!

    October 21, 2009 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |
  9. steven

    Wouldn't matter if this new "health-care" legislation had passed already or not, he's a legislator so he is exempt from the health care bill.

    October 21, 2009 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |
  10. Pam

    Lucky for him he has excellent health insurance (which we all pay for). How many thousands have been diagnosed with swine flu and don't have health insurance?

    October 21, 2009 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |
  11. Pat F

    Correction:

    He has EMPLOYER provided health care. The government is his EMPLOYER. He works for a living.

    He is not sitting on his rear, watching Oprah and eating Doritos, and waiting for a welfare check and a public health care card so he can get free Methadone.

    October 21, 2009 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |
  12. They call me "tater salad"

    I wonder if he likes HIS, free, taxpayer funded, Government Run Healthcare Plan now???!!! Or would he rather give it up to purchase a private policy out of his own pocket instead of the free taxpayer funded ride he currently enjoy's right now! HYPOCRIT!!!!!

    October 21, 2009 01:02 pm at 1:02 pm |
  13. Johny

    If he would have contracted the seasonal flu, this would not even be on the news. These news outlets need to stop the fear mongering and panic spreading. Let this flu strain run its course. Give them the same advice that is given every year with regards to the flu. Stop reporting every single case in every town or city or state, and the people will begin to calm down and think rationally.

    October 21, 2009 01:02 pm at 1:02 pm |
  14. S Callahan

    It's a nasty flu/virus.....Get well!

    ps..CNN please let Ed Rollins know the article on woman was beautiful....and a wonderful tribute to all woman, his mother included.

    October 21, 2009 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |
  15. ANGIE IN PA

    Well atleast he has Healthcare Goverment good Healthcare at that

    October 21, 2009 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |
  16. Grog in Ohio

    Good thing the congressman has decent health insurance!

    October 21, 2009 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  17. Obama Victim

    if the Obozo administration had done a better job proving the vaccine, per haps this gentleman would not be ill......again, The Messiah fails us

    October 21, 2009 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  18. Christian Values

    I hope the senator gets better soon. He must have a good government provided health care. I think we should have HIS type of health care, but the first step is the public option.

    October 21, 2009 01:08 pm at 1:08 pm |
  19. Emma

    He has a great medical plan so he isn't worried about his health!

    Who is paying for his great health care coverage..........now all you American taxpayers, let me hear you say

    "ME."

    October 21, 2009 01:08 pm at 1:08 pm |
  20. Quick

    Good thing this Congressman has a public health plan that he can use.

    October 21, 2009 01:10 pm at 1:10 pm |
  21. G2

    Maybe if congress gets the swine flu we can keep them out of session so that they don't pass this crazy health reform legislation or any other crazy legislation.

    October 21, 2009 01:11 pm at 1:11 pm |
  22. Paul from Phoenix

    The Federal Government has only provided 25% of the Swine Flu vaccines that were promised. Nice Job.

    The Lack of Swine Flu Vaccines = Obama's Katrina Moment.

    Now lets see if it gets reported that way.

    October 21, 2009 01:12 pm at 1:12 pm |
  23. Anonymous

    Has anyone ever thought about this Swine Flu outbreak is an act of Terrorist? Is it so hard for the government to think about this?

    Instead of using homemade bombs to blow up our bridges, buildings and government offices, the terrorists are smart enough to use their friendly bugs to kill us.

    October 21, 2009 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |
  24. Gloria J.

    Just want to know, if these gentlemen got the Swine flu shot? Because, as a health professional, I've still not decided if I should get the shot or not, and if they did, I've got my answer, thank you.

    October 21, 2009 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |
  25. Diana

    Isn't it nice to be able to take off and see a doctor when so many others can't.

    October 21, 2009 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |
  26. independent

    I hope the Congressman questions his fellow GOP congressmen about their opinions last Spring, when they advised the country and the President not to waste time and money develping an H!N1 vaccine and the the Swine ful issue was fake and a Democratic Party plot to distract from the economic crisis.

    October 21, 2009 01:25 pm at 1:25 pm |
  27. Doug

    I guess he did not learn to listen to HHS Secretary Sebilious about coughing on his sleeve and wiping his hands after being on the hill.
    What happens when they close Congress over this outbreak? It is the schools, at work and with little vaccine to go around and noe Congress. Simply ironic.

    October 21, 2009 01:31 pm at 1:31 pm |
  28. Boomer in Mo

    At least he has affordable health care, paid for by us of course.

    October 21, 2009 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |
  29. Pepou

    I wish him well, with a good insurance plan which includes a PUBLIC OPTION.

    October 21, 2009 01:41 pm at 1:41 pm |
  30. Hawk Texas

    Don't worry< he has taxpayer paid insurance so what ever it takes to get him well it will not cost him a dime. only the poor working slobs that have no insurance.now he can go back to the hill and vote against helping americans.

    October 21, 2009 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |
  31. richard

    Bet he has good health care

    October 21, 2009 01:43 pm at 1:43 pm |
  32. Fools and their freedoms are soon parted

    Get well soon sir..we need you back as soon as possible to prevent the unconstituional health care bill from being passed

    October 21, 2009 01:44 pm at 1:44 pm |
  33. Marie Laveaux

    Hope the gentleman gets well soon. Oh, and Some Republican Guy...well done. That just about sums up the whole right wing paranoid tantrum. Keep the funny stuff rolling, we need it right now.

    October 21, 2009 01:51 pm at 1:51 pm |
  34. CHANGE.COM

    This shouldn't be any news since thousands, if not millions, of Americans are going through it, including my family! Unless perhaps you look at it through the lens of healthcare reform. This bozo has health insurance and can get the best care available. Millions of Americans don't and will either die or end up in emergency rooms with exorbitant costs associated with it. It's time for reform now with a public option, which the CBO now projects, will actually reduce the deficit.

    October 21, 2009 01:56 pm at 1:56 pm |
  35. Dominican mama 4 Obama

    Is it interesting how these things come about huh? Swine flu epidemic right in line with these Healthcare debates. Gives you pause for thought. This Congressman will hopefully get some unfretful bedrest, take his meds, and be back on the job in a week or two. He'll lay in bed thinking about anything and everything except the fact that he CAN'T afford to be sick for too long because his health insurance will not cover his illness after x period of time. People who have been ill will tell you that your frame of mind while you're convalescing has a lot to do with how quickly you recover. If you're worrying about not been able to afford getting sick chances are your recovery will not be as expedient.

    Your'e very lucky Mr. Congressman. Wish everyone was as lucky.

    October 21, 2009 02:00 pm at 2:00 pm |
  36. Calidan

    I suppose God had a reason for punishing this Republican with H1N1. I guess God wants more Republicans to support the right to health care for all...

    October 21, 2009 02:02 pm at 2:02 pm |
  37. Scott

    Politics aside, I wouldn't want anyone to get swine flu, regardless of political sides they are in.

    Good luck.

    October 21, 2009 02:03 pm at 2:03 pm |
  38. brownvan

    It was inevitable that the Swine on Capitol Hill would contract the Swine flu. It will probably run throught the whole herd.

    October 21, 2009 02:05 pm at 2:05 pm |
  39. Tina

    Lucky you. You get to miss work. Be sure and get lots of rest and get well soon. You wouldn't want to miss voting 'NO' for healthcare, now would you?

    October 21, 2009 02:05 pm at 2:05 pm |
  40. C. Farrell, Houston, Tx

    He can afford to stay home, get excellent healthcare and at the same time be paid. Can you?

    October 21, 2009 02:15 pm at 2:15 pm |
  41. ThinkAgain

    Rep. Walden is doing the right thing by isolating himself – the recommendation is to stay away from people until you're fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.

    I hope that he recovers soon and that no one else in his family/friends/collegues catches it! (And then I hope he votes for meaningful health care reform, to include a robust public option and the elimination of exclusion for pre-existing conditions.)

    October 21, 2009 02:17 pm at 2:17 pm |
  42. Tony

    Get well soon!

    October 21, 2009 02:19 pm at 2:19 pm |
  43. Sniffit

    thats a darn shame

    October 21, 2009 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |
  44. Anna, MD

    I'm a Democrat and a supporter of the public option, and I wish the Congressman a speedy recovery. No one wants this swine flu to take another life, or make others ill.

    I think he did the responsible thing in notifying everyone and going into seclusion.

    Get well soon, Congressman.

    October 21, 2009 02:26 pm at 2:26 pm |
  45. FraudDog

    Now if the people would take away the insurance coverage for members of Congress MAYBE they'd feel like the rest of us! Swine flu for lobbiest sucking pigs... who would have thought?

    October 21, 2009 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |
  46. Peter s

    Get well quickly but how I wish you didn't have insurance!! just to experience what common folks goes through!!

    October 21, 2009 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |
  47. msb

    Get well soon! Hope it isnt too bad.

    October 21, 2009 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |
  48. Jake

    So, maybe now they'll notice how far behind the gov't is on their H1N1 vaccination schedule???

    October 21, 2009 02:38 pm at 2:38 pm |
  49. Tomba Enmana

    Sorry about that. I wish you a quick recovery

    October 21, 2009 02:46 pm at 2:46 pm |
  50. Jeff

    Sincerely, all the best for a speedy recovery Rep Walden. And I am sure you are happy you have health insurance. A public option is the right thing to do. Give some reflective thought to this while "in seclusion for a while".

    October 21, 2009 02:50 pm at 2:50 pm |
  51. Joe Groo

    Lucky for him he has a good healthcare plan. Now wouldn't it be nice if he thought that should have access.

    October 21, 2009 02:53 pm at 2:53 pm |
  52. Margaret

    So, the congressman could go to a doctor, eh? Good for him! Now allow everyone to have that opportunity–pass Health Care NOW!

    October 21, 2009 02:53 pm at 2:53 pm |
  53. Lynn

    GOOD! Now maybe they will do something about it. It's too late for my son's friend who died this morning from it, he was only 18 years old.

    October 21, 2009 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |
  54. bella

    But no worries, he is fortunate enough to HAVE health care insurance. 14,000 people lose their coverage on a daily basis. Of the lucky ones that have coverage, if you or a family member don't have a pre-existing condition now, you will.

    This is not just worrisome – this is an emergency crisis.

    October 21, 2009 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |
  55. jr

    Make him the poster boy for his own Free Government Run Health Care Policy.

    October 21, 2009 02:55 pm at 2:55 pm |
  56. Freedom

    I'm a DEM so I do hope he gets well soon. No matter what he votes for.

    October 21, 2009 02:58 pm at 2:58 pm |
  57. Brian

    If the doctors in the rest of the nation are not testing for H1N1 unless a person is admitted to the hospital then how does he know he has H1N1? He is not in the hospital. People at their level get the test for H1N1 but I guess us at JOE citizen level don't. Another example of the unbalance of health care in this country?

    October 21, 2009 03:01 pm at 3:01 pm |
  58. AverageCitizen

    At least he doesn't have to worry about losing his job if he is out with N1H1 for a week or more.

    October 21, 2009 03:06 pm at 3:06 pm |
  59. joe

    I bet the Congressman is enjoying his government run health care. Something we Americans need to control the corrupt insurance companies.

    October 21, 2009 03:08 pm at 3:08 pm |
  60. Nancy in Illinois

    At least he has health insurance so he can see his doctor. That's more than I can say. We don't have health insurance. We don't go to the doctor. Still waiting to get that coverage that "congress gives themselves." Sigh.

    October 21, 2009 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |
  61. Laura, Boston MA

    Hope you get better fast...drink lots of chicken soup

    October 21, 2009 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |
  62. Jim

    The Republicans complain about socialism while they line up for their free, taxpayer funded premium healthcare. They all have a pre-existing conditions. Most are greedy, selfish, hypocritical and just plain stupid. They always forget ... "We the People".

    October 21, 2009 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |
  63. cjg

    I figured that Congress is where the Swine flu started ....seems to me most have been infected for a long time.....

    October 21, 2009 03:31 pm at 3:31 pm |
  64. Steven

    And this guy gets the best of medical care AND gets to take unlimited time off his job without losing a penny of HIS paycheck and not even receiving a bill from his doctor!!!!! And to top it all off he gets tons of money from the insurance lobby to make sure that that those of us who pay for his health care and his paycheck never have the same opportunity. May he suffer long and hard along with the hate filled mindless cretins that voted him into office.

    October 21, 2009 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |
  65. Jane/Seattle

    This may turn out to be a seriously interesting and/or revealing flu season. may everyone learn to wash, wash, wash for the good of all. may those who clean the Commons do a very good job. And finally may we all find our way to Health before we are outdone by Mother Nature. Get well all you sick ones, Please! Peace, Love and hand Sanitizer! :o

    October 21, 2009 03:42 pm at 3:42 pm |
  66. Sheryl from Michigan

    Good thing he got the swine flu instead of me or my family!! He has medical insurance and we don't. At least he gets free SOCIALIZED medical care courtesy of the American taxpayer. Maybe when he gets better he will realize how lucky he is compared to millions of Americans who have no health care coverage. If my family gets sick, we will just have to die of our illnesses. I think he should thank us for giving him his SOCIALIZED medicine by voting for Obama's health care reform!! It is the least he can do. The only way we can get health care is to be a politician on the state or federal level or be in the military. They get SOCIALIZED medical care and we don't.

    October 21, 2009 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |
  67. Danny

    I guess it's a good thing (for him) that he has the best health insurance available, at no cost to him, unlike a large percentage of us regular working stiffs! If I'm not mistaken he gets that for the rest of his life, again at no cost to him.

    October 21, 2009 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |
  68. Ken in NC

    Maybe if the doctor would give a note to all Republicans and send them home to rest then we could get a health care bill passed and even let Republicans be covered too.

    October 21, 2009 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |
  69. Matt

    Wow, look at all the compassion from the liberals. Hypocrites.

    October 21, 2009 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |
  70. SH

    A guy falls in and you use it as an excuse to launch a personal attack. Whatever happened to a simple "get well soon"? Has this country degenerated into a society of hatred and spite?

    Either way, the flu isn't fun regardless of strain. To a speedy recovery!

    October 21, 2009 04:11 pm at 4:11 pm |
  71. mary

    I can't believe you people. This man is sick and all you can do is trash him. This is what's wrong with this country. We should all work together and get this health care passed. Everybody should have health insurance. More people would be going to the doctor sooner and this epidemic wouldn't get out of hand.
    Why are you thrashing his health care? He is employed and his employer supplies it. I have a business and I supply my employees with insurance.

    October 21, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |
  72. Tom

    He'd make a good guinea pig for the vaccine.

    October 21, 2009 04:49 pm at 4:49 pm |
  73. Felonious Monk

    It is a sure bet that his insurance will cover his medical condition. If he had a cold before, is that a preexisting condition?

    October 21, 2009 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  74. mjm

    Government employees DO NOT have government insurance. They have private insurance, usually BCBS or UHC. The cost comes out of their pay check just like everyone else who has employeer provided health insurance.

    And it's just the flu for crying out loud. Nobody is going bankrupt because of the flu.

    He'll be fine.

    October 21, 2009 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |
  75. JT the concerned College Freshman from MO

    No matter what party you are from, you have to wish this man a get well soon wish. I hope he is well and back on his feet to serve his community. I am an Independent/ Conservative Democrat wishing him a speedy and robust recovery. People just because you are from a different party does not mean that you have to attack the oppisite side all the time.
    PS: We are all Americans, all 307 million of us. Healthcare affects everyone from every side of the isle. Healhcare is an American issue and a moral issue to possibly saving a human life.
    All people who love money more than a human life deserves to burn in Hell forever, as far as I am concerned. That includes you Wall Street. CNN, post this!

    October 21, 2009 05:02 pm at 5:02 pm |