Worldwide Alert on the Swine Flu

"No veo cómo una persona en Puerto Rico podría (contagiarse) con gripe porcina," said the designated Secretary of Health, Jaime Rivera Dueño in an article published in "El Nuevo Día" this past Sunday. Translation: I don't see how someone in Puerto Rico can become infected with the swine flu. Perhaps I'm going out on a limb here, but I think Mr. Rivera has not seen some of the latest statistics. Cases of the swine flu has spread to countries as far away as Spain, Israel and New Zealand. Although there have been no confirmed cases of the swine flu here in Puerto Rico, as of yet, I think it's too early to eliminate the possilibity.

The local authorities are working with the officials from the Central Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, and the island is said to have enough vaccinations for 1.4 million people. This is about 35% of the population. Some of the tips given by the CDC is to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, and avoid contact with sick people, as influenza is spread among people who cough or sneeze. For more tips, please click here. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified this outbreak a phase 4 pandemic alert, and is no longer able to contain it. FYI: yes, it's still safe to eat pork, as long as it's fully cooked.

Update (6/24/09): there have been 22 confirmed cases of the swine flu in Puerto Rico.

(Images obtained from the Associated Press and El Nuevo Día).