Here is the latest from CNN on the Swine Flu breakout that seems to have its epicenter in Mexico and people who travel to the US:
(CNN) -- President Obama said Monday that the swine flu outbreak is a "cause for concern and requires a heightened state of alert," but is not a "cause for alarm."
He added that the federal government is closely monitoring emerging cases and had declared a public health emergency as a "precautionary tool to ensure that we have the resources we need at our disposal to respond quickly and effectively."
Meanwhile, the European Union's health commissioner Monday called on people to avoid traveling to both the United States and Mexico, which seems to be the epicenter of the outbreak.
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U.S. officials stepped up preparations for a possible epidemic after 20 cases were confirmed from New York to California. Canada, meanwhile, announced its first cases of the virus Sunday -- six mild cases.
Swine influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs. It is caused by a type-A influenza virus. Outbreaks in pigs occur year-round. The current strain is a new variation of an H1N1 virus, which is a mix of human and animal versions.
When the flu spreads person-to-person, instead of from animals to humans, it can continue to mutate, making it harder to treat or fight off because people have no natural immunity.
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For the rest of the article click below:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/27/swine.flu/index.html#cnnSTCOther1
Another article about the Swine Flu in NJ from the Star-Ledger:
N.J. is still free of confirmed swine flu cases, but officials are watching
New Jersey remained free of confirmed swine flu cases during the weekend, but should they occur, the state is increasing efforts to identify outbreaks, an official said. Mascarenhas, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/new_jersey_still_free_of_confi.html
