Image: CDC, PHIL

[Caption from CDC]

Under a plate magnification of 37,800X, this colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicted the A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1) virus, while in the virus’ first developmental passage through a chicken egg.

What is Swine Influenza?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates among pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate in swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks among swine herds occur during the late fall and winter months similar to humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

Can humans catch swine flu?

Swine flu viruses do not "normally" infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. In the past several years, on average CDC has received about one influenza virus isolate from a human that tests positive for swine flu each year. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (workers in the swine industry, for example). In addition, there have been rare documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.
[end caption CDC text]
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Mexico now reports 1000+ suspected swine flu cases. CDC personnel head to Mexico to analyze situation and confirms 16 out of 60 deaths were from Swine Influenza A (H1N1)

Mexico has closed movie theaters, libraries, museums.

Serious attention is being paid to this situation.

CDC reports: Two child swine flu cases geographically separated were examined thoroughly.

"The viruses from the two cases are closely related genetically, resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, and contain a unique combination of gene segments that previously has not been reported among swine or human influenza viruses in the United States or elsewhere. Neither child had contact with pigs; the source of the infection is unknown."

There is no known epidemiological link between the two cases.
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CDC provides the following INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONS:

For clinical care or collection of respiratory specimens from a symptomatic individual (acute respiratory symptoms with or without fever) who is a confirmed case, or a suspected case (ill close contact of a confirmed case) of swine influenza A virus infection:

Infectious Period--

Persons with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days following illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days after illness onset should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. The duration of infectiousness might vary by SIV strain.

Case definitions--

A confirmed case of swine influenza virus infection (SIV) is defined as a person with an acute respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed SIV at CDC by one or more of the following tests:

== real-time RT-PCR
== viral culture
== four-fold rise in SIV specific neutralizing antibodies

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I want to emphasize that now may be a good time to stock up on supplies that may be needed if this turns into a pandemic.

Pandemics are at least as effective in de-populating continents as all out wars.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/recommendations.htm

I quote CDC--
"BACKGROUND"
Swine influenza A virus (SIV) infection of humans may produce a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms. Many human cases of SIV infection have had a history of recent direct physical contact with pigs prior to illness onset. However, close (within 6 feet), but not direct contact with pigs, also has been reported among human SIV cases. Limited, non sustained human-to-human SIV transmission has been documented in the published literature. In addition, some confirmed SIV cases have not had a history of exposure to pigs.

Although uncomplicated influenza-like illness (fever, cough or sore throat) has been reported in many cases, mild respiratory illness (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea) without fever and occasional severe disease also has been reported. Other symptoms reported with SIV infection include vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, headache, chills, fatigue, and dyspnea. Conjunctivitis is rare, but has been reported. Severe disease (pneumonia, respiratory failure) and fatal outcomes have been reported with SIV infection. The potential for exacerbation of underlying chronic medical conditions or invasive bacterial infection with SIV infection should be considered.

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/key_facts.htm

Good luck. But read and plan. Luck is helpful, but do not count on it. Yours may have run out.

Plan. Instead.