What's up with the Swine Flu? It seems every time I turn around there is something out there that is really, really bad and it is going to kill me.

Eight students from NY have swine flu. From CNNHealth.com:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed cases of swine flu in eight students at a New York preparatory school, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Sunday.

The students have had only mild symptoms and none have been hospitalized, he said. Some of the students have already recovered.

More than 100 students were absent from school due to flu-like symptoms last week. New York health officials tested samples for eight students Saturday and determined the students were probably suffering from swine flu, and the CDC confirmed the diagnosis on Sunday, Bloomberg said. (more.. )

What are the facts about Swine flu? Get your answers here.

Swine flu has been declared a public health emergency. Watch the video:

From a disease a day (scary sounding web site but packed with some good information), tips on prevention:

The bottom line - How do I avoid it?

There is no vaccine at the moment that can protect you from the swine flu. There are steps you can take to lower your chance of getting it or of passing it to others -

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
3. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
4. If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Thanks for the heads up from Roy who pointed out this video from the CDC on Swine Flu:

First death in the US is a 23 month old in South Texas. We don't have further details.

The international response has been all over the map. Kissing has been banned in Costa Rica. Many countries have banned travel to Mexico and the US.

Several Republicans were very proud of themselves for removing "pork" from the economic stimulus package. Some of that "pork" included pandemic preparedness. Pandemic preparedness is exactly the kind of government infrastructure we need.