There has been a lot of talk on the news about the swine flu and how it is spreading fast and a lot of people are affected. Here is something worth checking out, a google map with incidents marked with information on areas affected, how many dead, infection reported, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/cosuzr

Watch where you hang out and if you are feeling any symptoms, go see a doctor.

Here is some info from  wikipedia:

Mexican officials state that since March 2009 there have been over 1600 reported cases and put the death toll at 149, with 20 confirmed to be linked to a new swine influenza strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1.

In the US, twenty-eight cases have been confirmed among New York students, seven in California, two in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio; all have recovered. Kansas state health officials confirmed two cases of swine flu in Kansas on April 25, 2009, just minutes after eight school children in New York City were believed to be infected after a school trip to Mexico. The New York case had been confirmed as influenza A virus, which met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC) definition of a probable case of swine flu. Tests have now confirmed that this flu virus is the new strain of H1N1, according to reports on UK BBC News. On April 25, 2009, Texas closed a high school near San Antonio indefinitely after a third student showed symptoms of swine flu.

In Canada, the virus has now been confirmed in six cases. There are also three confirmed cases outside North America. The first confirmed case in Europe has occurred in a man in Spain, the second and third in Scotland in the UK. In Scotland there are two confirmed cases being treated in a hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire. The results from their tests came in at 6.10pm on 27 April 2009 and were confirmed as positive. These are the first two confirmed cases in the UK and the second and third in Europe. On April 26, 2009, students from Rangitoto College and Northcote College, both on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand, returned from school trips to Mexico and began exhibiting signs of influenza. Like the US students, they tested positive for influenza A which means swine flu is highly likely, however definite results are pending. There have also been reports of suspected infection in Australia, Brazil, Chile, France and Israel. Airports worldwide are on alert, with passengers from Mexico entering Japan being screened for the virus.

The head of the World Health Organization will lead the agency’s efforts against a deadly swine flu outbreak. The World Health Organization warns this new swine flu has the potential to become an international influenza pandemic. On April 25, 2009, the World Health Organization issued a document called the Swine influenza frequently asked questions. On April 24, 2009, the World Health Organization agreed that the current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. The EU are advising against non essential travel to Mexico and the USA. Experts warn that use of face masks does not provide adequate protection. Face masks only work when dry; after an hour or two the breath causes the fabric to become damp and then it does not provide filtration of infection. A face mask must be replaced every two hours and the one used disposed of or cleaned. The WHO have increased the level pandemic alert to phases 4 on a 6 point scale. Phase 4 indicates a “significant increase in risk of pandemic”.