State health officials are reporting 5 new H1N1-related deaths, but the outbreak appears to be coming to an end.After having hundreds of schools with widespread sickness earlier in the fall, that number now stands at nine.Fox Mankato's Ryan Gustafson has the story.Epidemiologists continue to see the numbers for H1N1 fall in virtually all areas of measurement for the virus.((6.53))Krier says, "We are able to say - we're seeing less cases. It's still more than we've seen previously - but it looks like the trend is - we're starting to see a decrease."Scientists assume that most flu-like symptoms at this point of the year are a result of H1N1; they expect seasonal flu to hit in January and February, based off of past disease outbreaks.And it's that history that scientists use to guide their understanding of how the H1N1 virus works, because epidemiology is a science of observation, not prediction.((11.04))Brad Krier says, "We'll see, you know, is there going to be another peak in the spring? I don't know. Anyone who says that they do know is probably taking a guess - so..."What they can get behind are prevention measures like: hand washing, staying home, and getting vaccinated.But as for what the future holds for H1N1 and other diseases, there may be too many variables.((3.25))Krier says, "Who's been exposed to it, who has immunity to it - who has it. Are we able to catch it in time?((3.16))It's kind of a crap shoot, really.((4.00))We can't predict the changes. So we just have to roll with the punches, unfortunately."Ryan Gustafson, the Fox Mankato News at Nine.