As the World Health Organization declares that the world is on the verge of a swine flu pandemic, the State of California and the Central Valley prepares to deal with a potential outbreak. There have been 44 reported cases of this new strain of flu virus in the state, with all but one case reported in Southern California.
Officials at county and state health departments say they are monitoring cases of the flu and preparing for a potential outbreak. Officials at Fresno International Airport are monitoring flights coming in from Mexico, where the swine flu outbreak appears to have started and where hundreds have died from the virus.
In the U.S., almost all of the reported cases have been mild. What worries health officials is that this strain of the flu, which is a combination of flu viruses from pigs, birds, and humans, seems to hit younger and healthier people.
Doctors tell KSEE 24 News that the same precautions used to avoid other types of the flu apply to this strain. That includes avoiding others who are sick, covering your face when you sneeze or cough and washing your hands.