Swine Flu

The 2009 outbreak (H1N1) virus is an epidemic of a new strain of influenza virus that was clinically identified in April 2009 It is currently a Phase 5 outbreak, one level below an official pandemic.Although the exact origin of the outbreak is unknown, it was first detected when officials in Mexico. Within days, hundreds more suspected cases were discovered in Mexico.Worldwide the common human H1N1 influenza virus affects millions of people every year, according to WHO officials, and "these annual epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths" annually.The same identified virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in two or more countries in one WHO region.Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.