Swine Flu Quick Facts

1. Swine Flu is caused by influenza strain H1N1. It is a respiratory disease of pigs and is thought to be spread like the common seasonal flu.

2. The NYTimes reports the outbreak of Swine Flu started in Mexico in a rural area of La Gloria in the southeastern state of Veracruz the site of several major pig farms.

3. The virus has spread and outbreaks have been reported in California (8), Texas (3), Kansas (2), Ohio (1), New York (28), Nova Scotia (4) and British Columbia (2). The CDC has an updated case count of confirmed infections here.

4. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, coughing, vomiting and diarrhea.

5. The Swine Flu is said to differ from the seasonal flu, which spreads mainly to the old and young, in that it can infect healthy people. It is said to be more transmissible, but less lethal than the Avian Flu (H5N1).

6. The World Health Organization recommends basic hygiene and healthy living habits ( wash hands, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious food) in order to prevent swine flu.

7. The World Health Organization recommends that travelers avoid non-essential trips to Mexico.

For more information visit the CDC's "Swine Influenza and You" page.

For an overview of the Swine Flu epidemic and news updates you can visit the New York Times Swine Flu page here.