Swine+Flu+Speech+MS09

__**Swine Flu**__
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**__WHO notches up swine flu pandemic alert__**
WHO has raised its pandemic alert level to 5 and the swine flu seems to be getting worse. WHO has raised its pandemic alert for swine flu up to a 5. This means that they believe there will soon be a global outbreak of the disease. A 23 month old boy in Texas was the first American to die of swine flu. About 100 cases of it have been confirmed in the U.S. All around the world swine flu is spreading and efforts for a vaccine are being made and are going to increase. Obama said that many schools may need to be closed. Imminent- likely to occur at any moment shutter- to close for a day or permanently notorious- widely or unfavorably known []
 * April 29, 2009**

In 1976, there was a swine flu epidemic that caused major panic and death. In February of 1976, a drill sergeant named David Lewis died of an old influenza. They later found out that it was swine flu and that 500 other soldiers had it. In the panic, the U.S. struggled to create a vaccine to help treat or prevent the disease. The vaccine ended up killing hundreds of people. inoculation- to treat, to implant a disease agent in a person, animal or plant to prevent or help treat a disease fiasco- a complete failure immunize- to perform vaccination []
 * __ 1976: Fear of a Great Plague __**

Swine flu is a virus found in pigs but can be spread to humans too. Swine influenza is a respiratory disease found in pigs and swine. There are 4 subtypes: H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2- but H1N1 is the most common recently. It can be transmitted to humans and from humans to other humans. Reports usually say that there is one case every 1-2 years but between December, 2005, and February, 2009, there have been 12 cases. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, vomiting, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, and runny nose. lethargy- laziness, sluggishness sporadic- appearing in scattered or isolated instances, as of disease susceptible- admitting or capable of some specified treatment []
 * __ Key facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) __**

Speech:

As many of you have heard, the swine flu has been spreading around the world. It has turned into a major media story. I would just like to inform you that you should not worry, but just as a safety precaution, it would be smart to get vaccinated against swine flu. I recommend vaccination to everyone, especially young children and people who might have it or might have been exposed to swine flu. So far there has been only one death in the U.S. but that doesn't mean there won't be more. There have been over 100 confirmed cases in the U.S. and even more possible cases. The World Health Organization just recently changed their pandemic alert level to a 5 meaning that they think a global outbreak will occur soon. There is nothing to be worried about because efforts are being made to create a vaccine and when it is done, anyone can get it. It is not like in 1976. In 1976, one man died of the disease and hundreds died because of the inoculation or vaccine that was given to them. Now we have more technology and medicine is tested before we can use it. Just so you are aware the symptoms are fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, vomiting, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, and runny nose. These don't sound like things that anyone would want so you can avoid them by getting vaccinated. Until the vaccine is done we need to not panic and take the small steps in preventing swine flu. You can do this by washing your hands. Also, if you have any symptoms, you should sneeze and cough into your sleeve rather than your hand and stay home to prevent spreading the disease.