I thought it might be a good idea to bring this to everyone's attention again.
(CNN) -- U.S. health officials expressed concern Friday that a swine flu virus that has infected eight people in the United States matches samples of a virus that has killed at least 60 people in Mexico.
Swine flu is usually diagnosed only in pigs or people in regular contact with them.
U.S. health experts also are concerned because nearly 1,000 people have fallen ill in Mexico City in a short period of time.
"This situation has been developing quickly," said acting CDC director Richard Besser. "This is something we are worried about."
Of the 14 Mexican samples tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seven were identical to the swine flu virus found in Texas and Southern California, Besser said at a news conference.
http://www.cnn.com/...
As global warming increases it's impact on the Earth, viral outbreaks will probably become more common since viruses often (but not always) spread more easily in warm weather.
Given the warnings of potential pandemics, preparation is a good idea. Being fully prepared can also ensure you have adequate supplies in other kinds of emergencies, like hurricaines, earthquakes, floods, etc.
For pandemic readiness, here's an excellent web site I refer to often:
http://www.newfluwiki2.com/...
The above web site also includes extensive preparation materials, including how to prepare on a budget.
http://www.newfluwiki2.com/...
Some other web sites I frequent for updated news, prep ideas, etc.
http://www.planforpandemic.com/...
http://www.cdc.gov/...
http://www.who.int/...
(the above web site is great for updates on any health outbreak)
http://www.flutrackers.com/...
Remember that any health event is not a reason to panic or be scared, but is a prompt to update emergency preparedness and use common precautions to avoid illness.
For example, did you know that flu spreads more easily in a dry environment? Running a humidifier in your home during flu season can help.
Did you know that frequently washing your hands is a good deterent for flu? Here's a link on how to do it right to get rid of the most viruses:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/...
Another way to limit the spread of viruses is to cough or sneeze into a tissue, leaving the viruses expelled on the tissue. Then, dispose of the tissue in a way that doesn't spread the virus.
What are YOU doing to prepare for a public health (or other) emergency?
Update: Here's the CDC page for this event:
http://www.cdc.gov/...