As the human swine flu outbreak continues to spread, with more
questions than answers about its origin and ferocity, it's
important for people to remember that there are preventive
measures that diminish the chance of being infected. The new
strain of swine flu emerged earlier this month in Mexico, where
it is suspected of killing more than 100 people. Since then, it
has spread to numerous states including New York and Ohio, and
federal officials were wise to issue a nationwide public health
emergency declaration over the weekend. Though the number of
confirmed cases in the United States remains low so far, the
actual number of people who are ill from swine flu is believed
to be significantly higher. As with other viruses, verified
cases are an indicator of the rate of infection. The
government's declaration enabled the Department of Health and
Human Services to coordinate response to the disease on state
and local levels, determine infection rates, notify medical
professionals of the newest treatment guideli