On Sunday, April 26, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Homeland Security declared a public health emergency for swine influenza.
This sounds a lot scarier than it actually is. The government declares public health emergencies more often than you’d think — for things like hurricanes, flooding, and even the recent inauguration. Basically, a public health emergency is more like a warning to be prepared, according to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
The CDC has reported twenty cases of swine flu in the United States so far, spread over five states:
- California
- Texas
- Kansas
- Ohio
- New York
No one really knows how big the outbreak of swine flu will ultimately be. But declaring a public health emergency sends a message that the nation is going to be prepared for whatever may happen. In Mexico, swine flu appears to be responsible for dozens of deaths. So far, cases in the United States have been mild — but the CDC expects that to change.
In order to prepare for a possibly large outbreak of swine flu, the government is moving approximately twelve million doses of Tamiflu from a federal reserve to places where the states can quickly have access. The five states with known cases of swine influenza will have priority access to the flu drugs.
Some schools in New York, Texas, and California — where students have come down with mild cases of swine flu — have closed in the hopes of containing the outbreak. Some schools are using the time to scrub down desks, classrooms, and hallways to help prevent anyone else from catching the disease.
Do we need to worry? Right now, the best thing you can do is take care not to spread germs.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Sanitize surfaces that are touched frequently, like phones or doorknobs.
- Avoid contact with people who may be ill.
- If you do get sick, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading germs.