Officials Scramble to Prep Swine flu Vaccine by Fall - July 20, 2009 NPR

For the first time ever, U.S. health officials will vaccinate Americans against two flu strains in one season. They're aiming to have an H1N1 vaccine ready by the fall, but slow growth of the vaccine strain means there likely won't be enough for everyone until December.

Swine Flu Spread Mirrors Air Travel - June 30, 2009 NPR

Analysis of flight destinations of passengers departing from Mexico in March and April show that air travel was key in virus transmission across the globe, according to new research.

H1N1: Origins and Evolution of the Current Epidemic - June 11, 2009 UANews.org

A new analysis of the current swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus, published online by the journal Nature, suggests that transmission to humans occurred several months before recognition of the existing outbreak.

WHO Declares Swine Flu A Pandemic - June 11, 2009 NPR

The H1N1 virus has spread to a number of countries and is not stoppable, says World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan. But the agency cautions against overreaction; so far the strain remains mild.

University of Arizona Travel Advisory

Members of the University of Arizona Campus Emergency Response Team have reviewed the updated the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) travel advisory from May 15, 2009. In that update, the CDC has downgraded its travel advisory from a “Travel Health Warning” to a “Travel Health Precaution,” which includes removing the recommendation against non-essential travel to Mexico. The UA-CERT Policy Group has decided to continue to follow its practice of having UA travel recommendations conform to the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and will now allow all University related travel to Mexico.

However, the change in the UA position on travel to Mexico comes with the strong recommendation that all faculty, staff and students with any condition that puts them at high risk for a more serious or complicated case of influenza consider postponing travel to Mexico for at least one more month. High risk conditions include chronic heart or lung diseases (including asthma), or any chronic condition that compromises the immune system.

Inside The New Flu Virus
May 7, 2009 | NPR · Scientists tracking swine flu have discovered that the new virus emerged last fall and had been circulating undetected in Mexico until last month. Genetic analysis of the virus is proceeding at a furious pace. The aim is to find clues on what to expect if the virus re-emerges.

Zhao Chen, PhD, MPH was named as the director of the Epidemiology and Bio-statistics Division of Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health in July, 2008. She is an associate professor who conducts research in prevention, women’s health, health education and promotion, and geriatric health.

What do you think right now in terms of the seriousness of this?
This is a very serious kind of virus and we have seen a similar virus before in 1918 and this could come back if we are not prepared and do enough prevention, just like the Spanish flu at that time. Actually there was a dip during the summer and then it came back... the larger peak is October and the later one is in January. So there is potential that the virus can mutate quickly and can become a more severe type.

Is the message about flu prevention measures being heard?
Harvard did a survey and they looked at how many people are really listening to this news and how many people are starting to wash their hands. Actually it’s overwhelming, more than 70% of people started washing their hands more often. So it’s a good thing that people are not touching their mouths and eyes without washing their hands.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; throw the tissue in the trash after you use it – or cough or sneeze into your sleeve or upper arm.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, to decrease the spread of germs.
• Try to avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with sick people.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.