For the past weak the scare of swine flu has been in many of people’s minds. Everyday updates tell the same story, the flu is spreading fast. Today, the World Health Organization reported that a total of eleven countries have come down with 331 cases of Swine Flu infection, and the United States is one of them. Although the flu is contagious, the WHO has lots of ways to help prevent becoming infected. While the U.S. has reported a total of 141 cases and 1 death, Mexico has confirmed 156 cases and has experienced 9 deaths.
The WHO said, the following countries have confirmed cases: Austria 1; Canada 34; Germany 3; Israel 2; Netherlands 1; New Zealand 3; Spain 13; Switzerland 1; and the United Kingdom, 8. Also according to CNN.com Peru has reported one case of Swine Flu.
Countries are taking immediate action to help minimize the problem of Swine Flu from spreading. Egypt has decided to kill all of its 350,000 pigs in order to try and eliminate the sickness from their country. Plus, according to CNN.com there could be a vaccine prepared in a short period of time.
The WHO has many tips on how to avoid becoming sick. First, the general strategies to avoid becoming sick are: avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and have fever and cough. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often. And finally practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active. If anyone thinks that he or she might have the illness then they should: Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds, rest and take plenty of fluids, cover their mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of the used tissues properly, wash their hands with soap and water often and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing, and inform family and friends about their sickness.
For more information on the Swine Flu you can visit the World Health Organizations website ore Cnn.com.
- By Martin O’Donnell