RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS—A unique swine flu virus strain is responsible for the deaths of dozens of people in Mexico, and has infected at least 20 people in the United States. The World Health Organization is calling this a "public health emergency of international concern." The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared a public health emergency, a procedural step that makes resources available while HHS and other Federal authorities evaluate the situation and plan a response. Symptoms of swine flu include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
THE DETAILS: Usually swine flu is contracted from contact with infected pigs, but in the current outbreaks, the influenza virus seem to be passed along between humans, too. It's believed that swine flu is responsible for hundreds cases of infection in Mexico, including at least 59 deaths. In the U.S., there have been 20 confirmed cases in California, Kansas, New York, Ohio, and Texas. On Sunday, reports chronicled what appears to be a global spread, with people possibly sickened with swine flu in New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Spain. In all U.S. cases, the patients have since recovered from the disease, and only one case required hospitalization.
WHAT IT MEANS: There are many unanswered questions about the swine flu outbreaks. Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, stated in a press conference that the declaration of emergency “sounds more severe than really it is,” and is standard procedure to free up resources needed to monitor and react to the situation. While health authorities sort everything out, the CDC recommends that we all pay closer attention to common sense tactics that help prevent flu infection.
Here are steps to take to protect yourself safe from swine flu:
• Wash your hands…a lot. It's really important to keep your hands clean, because your fingers often come in contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth—all of which can be entrance points for flu germs. So lather up with hot, soapy water for at least 30 seconds to kill off germs, and do this often throughout the day. No need to use soaps with antibacterial chemicals like triclosan. Regular soap and water will do, according to many studies.
• Keep your hands away from your face. As an added precaution, do your best to refrain from touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing, sneezing or using tissues. Toss tissues in the trash after using them.
• Avoid close contact. If someone in your house is sick with flu symptoms, avoid close contact as much as possible. You may want to consider covering up, too. An Australian study released earlier this year found that parents who did not wear a surgical or a virus filtering N-95 mask when a child was sick with the flu or cold in the house were 4 times more likely to get sick than the mask-wearing parents. You can find the masks in pharmacies or online.
• Know when to stay home. If you're feeling ill, don't go to school or work, where an infectious disease could spread. Call your doctor if you’re experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Reconsider your travel plans. While the United States hasn't issued any travel advisories, it's clear to see this might not be the best time for traveling to Mexico. Several of the people sickened in the U.S. had recently returned from a trip to that country.
• Keep an eye on the news. Flu virus outbreaks can be unpredictable, and the situation may change quickly. Pay attention to announcements from local health authorities. You can read about the ongoing investigation at www.hhs.gov.