This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
As of yesterday morning, only 20 cases of Swine Flu have been reported in the US, with 7 of those cases in California. However, there have been no cases logged in either Los Angeles or Orange counties, and local officials want to get the word out that they are working to prevent the infection from spreading.
This weekend in San Diego, State School Superintendent Jack O'Connell said "school officials can play a key role in stemming the spread of swine flu," according to NBC Los Angeles. In a press release on the California Department of Education website O'Connell explains how kids can be instrumental in preventing the illness from spreading:
By taking simple precautions like washing hands often, students can increase their chances of avoiding the flu, so they can stay healthy, stay in school, and keep learning. These simple steps will help everyone protect their health so students and teachers will have fewer sick days.
Parents and teachers are encouraged to download a poster featuring tips for prevention, or "toolkits" of information to help understand how to lower their risk.Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to hold a press conference today in Beverly Hills to discuss how California is handling the swine flu outbreak at the state level. The federal government has declared a national health emergency, and officials in many countries worldwide are broaching to react to the pandemic should it make its way to their lands; the first international case has been reported in Spain. Although President Obama has no symptoms of the illness following his trip to Mexico, travelers who plan to fly to Mexico City may find their carrier is offering them the option to re-route for free, although no flights between LAX and Mexico City have been canceled yet.
Today's LA Times is offering basic info about how people contract swine flu, its symptoms, and how it spreads. And, no, people: You can't get it from eating pork.
