As you undoubtedly have heard, a new strain of influenza called Swine Flu or Swine Influenza apparently started about a month ago in Mexico. It has now spread, first to at least a few states in the United States and now may be spreading world wide.
Art Bernardino who provides consulting services in pandamic planning suggests seven things people can do to lessen infection and protect themselves and others:
1. Wash hands frequently using soap and water or waterless hand sanitizers
2. Cover your cough and sneezes use proper cough etiquette by coughing into the crook of your elbow
3. Minimize contact with others. Crowded places and large gatherings of people should be avoided.
4. Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between persons wherever practical
5. If you have to be in close contact (less than 6 feet) with people, consider wearing a N95 (NIOSH approved) respirator
6. Keep the flu out of the workplace! Don’t go to work or allow people to come to work if they are possibly sick with the flu
7. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouthThe best source for current information on the Swine Flu and recommended responses are at the following two websites:
To help provide added perspective regarding this Swine Flu issue I am posting links to a Q & A explanation of Swine Flu, an unedited transcript to a CDC sponsored conference call regarding the issue, and a link to a CDC website devoted to the issue of Swine Flu::
Q&A: Key Facts About Swine Flu
Unedited Transcript: CDC Conference Call Regarding Swine Flu, April 27, 2009