The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: News

Media Credit: AP Photo/Miguel Tovar Residents wear surgical masks as they exit the subway in Mexico City, Monday, April 27, 2009. As a new workweek begins, Mexico's government is trying to stem the spread of a deadly strain of swine flu by urging people to stay home if they have any symptoms of the virus believed to have killed more than 100 people. (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar)

From Staff and Wire Reports

The recent worldwide outbreak of swine flu has reached new highs. According to the World Health Organization, the level of influenza pandemic alert moved from the current phase 3 to phase 4.

A phase 4 alert means that there is sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus, causing outbreaks in at least one country, according to an article by The Associated Press.

The WHO has a rating scale of 1 to 6 for infectious disease outbreaks. A phase 6, the "pandemic" phase, signifies that outbreaks have occurred in more than two regions of the world, according to the WHO website.

The flu, which seems to have originated in Mexico, has spread to the United States, Canada, parts of Europe and across the globe, has caused 149 deaths thus far in Mexico. Government officials have closed down schools in Mexico nationwide until May 6.

Dr. Phil Histand, a director at Student Health Services, has been dealing with the swine flu situation and has issued warnings to several students currently traveling in Mexico as well as their families.

"There are travel advisories saying that all non-essential travel to Mexico should be put on hold," Histand said.

Histand, however, agrees with President Obama that while the epidemic clearly raises concern, it shouldn't cause an elevated level of fear within Americans, or OSU students, just yet.

"I would say don't panic; we haven't had any cases here in Oregon. We'll be monitoring the situation carefully and sending out periodic updates."

Histand added that anyone who is sick with flu-like symptoms and has recently traveled to Mexico or to the southern California border area, or who has been in contact with someone who is sick and who has traveled to those areas, should immediately go to Student Health Services to be checked.



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