Swine Flu Outbreak

So, this is the latest health buzz around the world. Swine flu, a type of influenza A (H1N1) virus, is just at its early stages of it's outbreak.

Swine flu is a common respiratory disease among pigs, but has had a sudden spike in human cases.

Here are the some numbers as of April 27, 2009 evening:

• 149 possible Swine Flu related deaths in Mexico
• 42 confirmed cases in the US from California to New York
• 6 cases in Canada
• 1 case in Spain
• 10 highly likely Swine Flu cases in New Zealand
  

The World Health Organization has raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 4, which is characterized by "... verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.”". The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency.

Common sense precautions, you've heard it over and over... now practice what's preached!

1. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
2. Immediately discard tissues used after coughing or sneezing
3. Wash hands immediately after coughing or sneezing
4. Wash hands before eating or preparing foods
5. Avoid contact with eyes, nose, or mouth
6. Stay home if you feel sick or have illness symptoms to avoid spreading any viruses
7. Wash hands thoroughly and often!

Here's a cool video showing some proper coughing and sneezing techniques:

Swine flu is spread between humans similar to how seasonal flu and colds are contracted. That is, usually through contact or exposure to contaminated objects (maybe a keyboard that someone sneezed on).

And it's a myth that swine flu is contracted by eating infected pork. Just follow the usual precautions for food safety by cooking all meats thoroughly at the appropriate temperatures and you'll be fine.

Not that I'm eating pork, cause hey, I'm suppose to be a vegetarian by now. Just another reason to stay away from meat!