Swine+Inlfuenza+and+You

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people. Early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. So far the death count cased by the swine flu has been only about 2 in the U.S. from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention online website. Alta High School in Sandy is taking no chances. A memo from Dagmar Vitek, M.D. Deputy Director of Salt Lake Valley Health Department gave the students, staff, and administration several tips and signs to keep the school safe. We can help stop the spread and reduce any risks by doing things such as, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away when finished. Wash hands often with soap and water and especially after coughing or sneezing. Use an alcohol hand cleaner if water is not immediately available. Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth since germs are spread this way. Keep surfaces (tables, doorknobs, telephones, etc.) clean by wiping them frequently with a household disinfectant according to the directions on the product label. Basically you would do what you normally do when you are sick. With the listed tips above, we can keep the Alta high school safe, but more importantly, we can keep the students safe. Recently up in Park city, the school were closed down because some of the students were suspected to have the flu. After talking to my good and knowledgeable friend Erin, the swine flu is now in Utah. With this new update we have all the more reason to be extra careful. Please let it be known that if anyone gets me sick then I will hunt you down and make you regret life. By: Adrian Ferry Ace reporter at Alta high school!
 * Swine Influenza and You **