Swine Flu May Be Spreading Throughout US
With numerous cases of swine flu reported in Mexico, Canada and now here at home, the United States is stepping up preparations for a possible pandemic.
As a general matter, the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus rarely infects humans. Although sporadic human cases have been reported, the virus is usually associated with exposure to pigs, and rarely transmitted between people.
Recent victims, however, have reported no exposure to swine, and investigators believe that the virus may have mutated and is spreading between humans. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, the virus has been fatal.
In years past, there were only a few cases of swine flu reported annually in the United States. As of today, however, the CDC confirmed 20 cases of swine flu in five states:
- California: 7
- Kansas: 2
- New York City: 8
- Ohio: 1
- Texas: 2
These cases are a likely extension of the outbreak in Mexico. As of this afternoon, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said 81 deaths were suspected to be from the outbreak, and 374 people remained hospitalized. Notably, Mexico City has closed all of its schools and universities until further notice because of the virus, and troops were handing out filter masks outside the National Cathedral on Sunday morning. No masses were scheduled at the cathedral, but dozens of worshippers put on masks and went inside the church to pray on their own.
Canada has also confirmed at least six cases of illnesses, while Spain, Israel and New Zealand are investigating possible but unconfirmed cases.
In turn, the CDC is working closely with state and local officials in California, Texas, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. In addition to attempting to determine the source of the U.S. infections, investigators are also attempting to determine how easily the virus is transmitted from person to person, and whether additional people may have been infected. Click on the following link to visit the CDC Swine Flu Website.
As an aside, although the CDC reports that swine flu is not normally transmitted by food, we do know that the virus (like other pathogens), if present, is easily killed if heated to 160 degrees.
In any event, although the U.S. government has now declared “a public health emergency” -- a step Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said "sounds more severe than really it is,” – this is standard operating procedure which allows federal, state and local agencies to better direct their resources toward prevention and mitigation.
In turn, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs echoed Napolitano's comments confirming that, although the outbreak "is of great concern to the White House, it's certainly not a time to panic."
