Hours ago, AirTran Flight 85 arriving from Cancun, Mexico to BWI Airport was quarantined after at least 2 passengers exhibited flu-like symptoms in flight.

The scene was tense at BWI as ambulances arrived with medics wearing masks and protective gear then boarded the plane to screen passengers before disembarking. Withing 2 hours, everyone was cleared including the two passengers with flu-like symptoms.

Check out the Inquisitr’s dedicated Swine Flu resource page here for frequent news and live Swine Flu updates from the most reliable sources around the web.

Swine Flu Update: Flight Arriving from Mexico Temporarily Quarantined is a post from: The Inquisitr

This just in – officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a press conference today that they have raised the Swine Flu Pandemic Alert level to 4.

Swine Flu Pandemic Alert Level 4

Explanation of the Swine Flu Pandemic Alert Level 4 from the WHO official website:

Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.

Also, we’re not sure why, but when you visit the page on the WHO official website listed above, look at the URL of the page in your browser’s address bar …/avian_influenza/… is in the URL instead of Swine Influenza.

Swine Flu Update: World Health Org. Issues Phase 4 Pandemic Alert is a post from: The Inquisitr

The World Health Organization (WHO) has put the world on alert and is urging countries globally to boost up their surveillance of flu-like symptoms and pneumonia. The swine flu has pandemic potential because so little is known about the disease or it’s prevention and it is spreading rapidly.

From Geneva on Saturday, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said:

“It has pandemic potential because it is infecting people. However, we cannot say on the basis of currently available laboratory, epidemiological and clinical evidence whether or not it will indeed cause a pandemic.”

New possible outbreaks are being investigated in Kansas (2 cases confirmed) in the U.S. and the situation in Mexico is worsening to the point where the Mexican government has empowered the health department to isolate patients and actively inspect homes of those afflicted with the disease.

New York – The immediate relatives of students at the Queens School possibly affected by the swine flu have also reported flu-like symptoms.

WHO Warns Swine Flu Outbreak Could become Worldwide Pandemic is a post from: The Inquisitr

Media outlets all over the U.S. and around the world are reporting an outbreak of the swine flu that originated in Mexico, so naturally, people are concerned about the swine flu symptoms as they educate themselves about the ailment. We did a little searching and the following are some resources where you can get more information:

Swine Flu Symptoms

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and prevention says this about the swine flu symptoms

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

The CDC recommends routine precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases: wash your hands often, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoid close contact with sick people. If you are sick, stay at home and limit contact with others.

You can also find out more about the swine flu and it’s symptoms from this article at the Associated Press and from a site called Suite101 here.

Swine Flu Outbreak – What are the Symptoms? is a post from: The Inquisitr