WHO Warns A Swine Flu Pandemic May Be On The Way

Today April 29th 2009 the World Health Organization has just announced that the influenza pandemic alert level has been raised from phase 4 to 5. They stated that all nations should immediatly activate their pandamic emergency plans and prepare for a possible world wide swine flu pandamic. And they went on to say that it is all of humanity that may be at peril.

This means that all nations should highten their level of awarness and survelliance and that they should be ready to move to the next level.It was revealed that a boy child has now died in Houston Texas from the Swine Flu and you can clearly see that the World Health Organization is seriously worried about the whole situation with the swine flu pandemic and where it may go next.

As of April 29th 2009 hundreds of schools across the United States have been closed including all New York Schools where their is a cluster of confirmed swine flu cases. President Obama says that he encourages all schools in simular situations to close and remain closed until the danger has passed. And the city of New York now says that their may be hundreds of swine flu cases in the city of New York.

Carnival Cruise Lines today said that for the immediate future they will stop making any ports of call in Mexico. And airlines report that people are canceling reservations to Mexico in large numbers. And this has caused the price of airline stock to lose a large percentage of their value in the last few days.

And there are steps that regular people can take to make sure that the swine flu can be controled. And if you follow these steps you will find that you and your family will get sick a lot less often. The steps include.

1. Don't touch your face or eat after you have gone out in public or touched a surface in a area where the swine flu could possibly exist. Remember germs are extremly small. You can't see them and they can and do exist in a lot of areas. If you find that swine flu is present in your neighborhood be extra vigilant.

2. If you know that the swine flu exists in your area wear a mask when you go out in public. I would advice purchasing a supply of masks to have on hand in your home. Don't wait until all the masks in your area have been sold and then try to buy them. Buy a supply in advance.

3. Don't go to public events like sports, movie theaters, or places where there are large crowds if you know their is a possibility that people with swine flu may be in your area.

4. Don't forget your Mom's best advice. And that was to wash your hands and wash them often. Purchase and keep a supply of antibacterial soap on hand in your home.And when you wash your hands wash from the elbows down. Keep a nail brush handy and be sure to clean well under your nails when you wash your hands. And again buy antibacterial soap ahead of time. Don't assume that its always going to be available. Dry your hands with paper towels and dispose of them. Don't use a common towel for everyone to dry their hands on.

5. Don't go to work sick and don't send your children to school sick. If you have concerns at all go see your doctor. Especially if you find that people in your area have the swine flu.

6. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are excellent especially if their is no soap or water available. They are actually more effective at killing bacteria than soap and water.

7. Be sure to remember to wash your childrens hands often. If they play with other children and you suspect the children they played with might be sick give your child a complete bath from head to toe and wash their clothes at once.

Those 7 ideals won't guarantee 100 percent that you or your family will never get sick but they do go a long way especially if you make sure you do all 7.

Below you will find three very interesting videos. Two of the videos are about the 1918 - 1919 Flu Pandemic and one is about the current Swine Flu and the possible Swine Flu Pandemic that may be upon us in the next few weeks.

Do you have any relatives alive today that lived through the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu Pandemic. Why not ask them what they remember and post it in the comment section below. Or feel free to ask Swine Flu Questions and I will try to find you your answers.