Are You Prepared for Swine Flu?
The Department of Health and Human Services declared Swine flu a "public health emergency" in the United States, sparking fear and confusion in many Americans. The World Health Organization confirmed 73 cases of swine flu worldwide and 40 cases of the disease in the U.S. and counting.
Though none of the cases has been fatal so far, a South Carolina school closed today out of fear that young people returning from Mexico might be infected. Fear of a deadly outbreak of swine flu also affected global stocks. Falling sharply were airline and travel companies as the European Union encouraged Europeans not to travel to the United States.
Even President Barack Obama commented on the matter. "We are closely monitoring the emerging cases of swine flu in the United States," he said.
So, why are U.S. officials concerned if the disease presents as a mild flu? According to Robert Bazell, chief science and health correspondent for NBC News:
It's about the potential. It's not about what's happening right now. None of the 40 cases so far in the United States have been very serious. But the virus here is genetically identical to the strain of the virus that is killing people in Mexico.
This is a new virus so there's no natural immunity. It has the potential to spread very widely. That's what raises worries about a possible pandemic.
President Obama said "a public health challenge of this sort rests heavily on the work of our scientific and medical community." Are you taking any steps to thwart this outbreak?
Resources:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/25/white-house-responds-to-swine-flu-cases/
http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30423369/