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The latest updates on the swine flu
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Residents wear surgical masks as they exit the subway in Mexico City on Monday,
April 27th, 2009. (AP Photo / Eduardo Verdugo)
“The first wealth is health.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Over the past few days we have seen numerous news headlines regarding the Swine Flu and its potential to become a pandemic. To date, it is believed to have been responsible for a total of 149 deaths in Mexico and there have been at least 40 confirmed non fatal cases reported in the United States. The World Health Organization has raised its pandemic alert level from stage 3 to a stage 4 alert, which means that they have confirmed this strain can be transmitted by human-to-human contact. While they are still in the process of gathering more information, here are the latest updates and facts that have been gathered as of today, April 27th.
Current outbreaks: So far, there have been reports of the flu surfacing in Mexico, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Spain. According to a table posted on the CDC website, it lists a breakdown of current U.S. locations that have reported confirmed cases.
| State | # of laboratory confirmed cases |
| California | 7 cases |
| Kansas | 2 cases |
| New York (all in NYC) | 28 cases |
| Ohio | 1 case |
| Texas | 2 cases |
| Total Count: | 40 cases |
Symptoms: The current symptoms of the Swine Flu are very similar to that of the typical flu bug and may include fever, muscle aches, chills, sore throat, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Tips to protect yourself: Currently, the best way to help protect yourself from Swine Flu is by using common sense to avoid germs. Paying close attention to things such as washing your hands regularly, not touching your hands to your nose, eyes, or mouth, using alcohol based hand sanitizers when soap isn’t available, and covering your mouth if you have to sneeze or cough are all helpful ways to prevent the flu. If you do start to feel sick it is best to stay home from work or school and if the symptoms persist, call your Doctor.
Travel warnings: Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, held a press conference today stating that the CDC and the State Department are both in the process of issuing travel warnings requesting individuals to refrain from any unnecessary travel to Mexico. They are also currently doing screenings at the U.S. border to isolate people who may be infected with the Swine Flu. The EU’s health commissioner has also urged European travelers to avoid unnecessary travel to both Mexico and the United States until further notice.
For more info:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Google Maps Swine flu outbreak map
National Disease Prevention Examiner
Washington State Department of Health
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