Swine Flu Outbreak / Alfalfa Sprouts
4/27/2009 Lori Smith
Swine Flu Kills Several in Mexico / Alfalfa Sprouts May Have Salmonella
An outbreak of Swine Flu (Influenza) has recently caused several deaths in Mexico. About 40 cases have been reported in the U.S. thus far and on April 26, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security declared a public health emergency so that additional funds and resources could be used to address the outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides extensive information about Swine Flu and the steps being taken to contain this outbreak here:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm
The Department of Homeland Security press briefing about the outbreak can be seen here:
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1240773850207.shtm
Governor Bobby Jindal’s press briefing on Louisiana’s plans for handling the outbreak is available here:
Additional information is available on the news page from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals:
http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/news.asp
General information about cases of flu in Louisiana and the text of Louisiana’s plan for handling an influenza pandemic, should one occur, is available on this page from the State Epidemiologist:
http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?id=249&detail=7358
The CDC site mentioned above will be updated regularly, so plan to check it periodically for the latest news.
Also, please note that the Food and Drug Administration is asking consumers not to eat raw alfalfa sprouts due to possible salmonella contamination. More information about this problem can be seen here:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02001.html