If you've been following recent news you may have heard about something called swine flu. Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Occasionally humans are infected with swine flu viruses and, in some instances, they can spread the virus person-to-person. Unfortunately, this is what's happening now.
Since late March, eight confirmed human cases of swine flu have occurred in California and Texas. All of the patients recovered completely, but there is concern over the fact that each of the patients was infected with a strain of swine influenza A that has never been seen before. Additionally, the CDC reports that it appears that the same new strain of swine flu is responsible for a wave of illness and a number of deaths in Mexico.
CDC is working closely with state and local officials in California and Texas and other health and animal officials on investigations into these cases. For updated information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/.
Don't forget that there are basic precautions you can take to help protect yourself from influenza and keep from spreading it to others. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, wash your hands frequently, and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.