US Declares Public Health Emergency over Swine Flu

The United States has declared a public health emergency as swine flu cases continue to rise.

US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and other officials at a press briefing Sunday said that people should remain calm, and compared the declaration to a Hurricane storm warning.

Dr. Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) speaking at the same briefing, said that the CDC was acting aggressively in attempting to control the outbreak, but warned there would be worse news yet to come. “I would expect over time we’re going to see more severe disease in this country,” Dr. Besser said, explaining that additional cases could be found because public health officials are now aggressively searching for those affected by the disease and testing people with symptoms.

So far 20 cases have been confirmed in the United States, but only one person has required hospitalization. The different outcomes in US cases is confounding specialists, given that in Mexico the disease is currently showing a 10% mortality rate.

Video of the briefing as follows. For all the latest, follow our Swine Flu coverage. If you’re concerned, also see: Swine Flu symptoms, and preparing for a Swine Flu Pandemic.

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