There Is A New Strain Of Swine Flu That Can Attack Anyone!

I've never even heard of swine flu before.But,apparently there is a new strain of swine flu that has caused 60 deaths in Mexico.And it has spread from Mexico to California & Texas!No one has died in the United States from this outbreak,but it has sickened dozens of people.Here's more on swine flu from CTV.ca:

"What is swine flu?

Like humans, pigs get the flu. They develop a sudden fever, a barking cough, sneezing, lethargy and typically lose their appetite.

Pigs usually don't die from swine flu; their flu viruses cause high levels of illness but low death rates.

Swine influenza viruses circulate among pigs throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter, just like with outbreaks in humans.

Most swine flu viruses belong to the Influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes.

Can humans catch swine flu?

Normally, swine flu bugs don't infect people. When they do, it's in people who have direct contact with pigs. Historically, there's such a case every year or two in the U.S.

There have been seven human cases of swine flu identified so far in San Diego County and Imperial County, California as well as in San Antonio, Texas. All seven patients have recovered.

Even before these clusters, there had been a surge in cases in recent years. Since December 2005, there have been 12 human swine flu infections - about four a year.

It's possible this uptick was due to improved reporting systems, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says "genetic changes in swine flu viruses and other factors might also be a factor."

Can humans pass swine flu?

Usually no. But what makes this new outbreak in California and Texas worrisome is that in all seven cases, none had any direct contact with pigs.

Two of the new cases were among 16-year-olds at the same school in San Antonio and there's a father-daughter pair in California, said CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here.