Swine Flu
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are five precautionary measures that can be taken by individuals, families, and businesses in order to reduce the likelihood of contracting the Swine Flu. These recommendations are as follows:
1. Stay informed.
2. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
3. Take everyday actions to stay healthy. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
4. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
5. Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
The CDC also released the following statement, “This is a rapidly evolving situation and current guidance and other web content may contain variations in how this new H1N1 virus of swine origin is referred to. Over the coming days and weeks, these inconsistencies will be addressed, but in the interests of meeting the agency's response goals, all guidance will remain posted and new guidance will continue to be issued.”
As of April 29, 2009, the following human cases of the Swine Flu Infection have been released by state:
Arizona (1 case)
California (14 cases)
Indiana (1 case)
Kansas (2 cases)
Massachusetts (2 cases)
Michigan (2 cases)
Nevada (1 case)
New York (51 cases)
Ohio (1 case)
Texas (16 cases, 1 death)
It is estimated that there are 10 to 20 times more actual cases that have not yet been confirmed by the CDC.