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The swine flu, which is believed to have originated in Mexico, has now been confirmed in 16 countries around the world, including the U.S. and Canada. Health officials suspect that it is spreading from person to person now so many people are wondering how to keep themselves safe.
In Mexico, the death toll has surpassed 150 infected individuals where, for some unknown reason, the severity of the disease appears to be worse than elsewhere in the world. As of yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the alert level to Phase 4 (Phase 6 is the highest), due to sustained human-to-human transmission causing outbreaks in at least one country. After the bird flu began in Asia in 2004 the alert system was revised. Monday was the first time it has ever been raised above Phase 3. Countries like Canada, Israel and France have warned their citizens to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico.
A lot of people have been asking what the outbreak is. This new flu strain is a combination of pig, bird and human viruses that humans may have no natural immunity to. Laboratory tests at hospitals indicate that it is an “unidentifiable strain of Influenza A.” So far, 68 cases are confirmed in the United States but none of them have been fatal. In fact, no deaths from the new virus have been reported outside Mexico.
Symptoms include a fever of more than 100, coughing, joint aches, severe headache and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea. Many victims have been in their 30s and 40s — not the very old or young who typically succumb to the flu.
The recommended precautions include frequent handwashing (or sanitizing with alcohol-based products), avoiding travel to Mexico or with people who have recently travelled to the country and wearing a surgical mask around those who could be infected.
The Today show also talked about what to do if you’re feeling anxious about the swine flu and how you can take a roll in preventing the spread of the disease.
image: Amazon