Swine+Flu+MLU09

__SWINE FLU__

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 * Headline: Swine flu crosses new frontiers in Mideast, Asia**

Topic: Swine Flu has spread to many different countries.

Summary: Swine flu has spread to at least 6 countries besides Mexico. WHO (World Health Organization) has raised the alert level to phase 4, and suggests everyone should avoid nonessential travel into Mexico. Many people who just returned from Mexico have contracted the virus. It's uncertain whether the outbreak started in the US or in Mexico. The best way to stop the disease from spreading is to wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, and stay away from work or school if you're not feeling well.

Vocabulary: WHO- World Health Organization Pandemic- epidemic over a wide geographical area Vaccine- substance that provides an immunity to a disease

http://www.smh.com.au/world/science/history-of-swine-flu-20090427-ak2y.html?page=-1
 * Headline: History of Swine Flu**

Topic: Historical events about swine flu

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Summary: Swine flu does not usually affect humans, but there have been sporadic human infections with swine flu. The symptoms are the same as any flu- fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and in some cases diarrhea and vomiting. Swine Flu was first described in the 1930's, and there was an outbreak in a US army base in New Jersey in 1976. There was also a case in 1988 in which a pregnant woman died of swine flu after visiting a country fair pig exhibition in the US just 2 weeks prior. The swine flu is passed pretty much in the same way as a regular human flu.======

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Summary: Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs. Humans don't usually contract Swine flu, but there have been sporadic outbreaks of Swine flu in humans. Regular flu vaccines won't prevent humans from getting swine flu. It can be spread from pigs to pigs, pigs to humans, humans to pigs, or humans to humans.======

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As you all know, there has been an outbreak of swine flu. I'm here to tell you not to panic. There will be a vaccine available in a few months, at which time anyone who wishes to get vaccinated can. However, even if you get vaccinated you are still susceptible to catching the flu, it just lowers the risk. Until the vaccine is available, please take the necessary precautions such as washing your hands, covering your sneezes and coughs, and if someone has the symptoms of swine flu try to keep interaction with them to a minimum. Stay away from public places, and if you start exhibiting symptoms go see a doctor immediately. Swine flu isn't that much different from a regular flu, so treat it as you would treat any other flu. If you think you have it go see a doctor, and they will treat you for it, just like they would a regular flu. There is no reason to panic. Again, for those of you who think it's necessary to get vaccinated, there will be a vaccine available soon, but even if you get vaccinated there will still be a chance that you will contract the flu.======