The Orange Peal
Students Worried Over Swine Flu OutbreakWednesday, April 29, 2009 By Evie Borchard, Staff Reporter
Many students have heard about the frightening outbreak of swine flu. Although there have only been sixty-four reported cases in the US, citizens still worry about the possibility of the disease spreading. One child in Texas has already died from the disease. "It could be very dangerous if people catch and spread the disease in America," said sophomore Marcos Arteaga. In Mexico, 2,000 people have been hospitalized because of the swine flu but there are still many cases of it that have not reported or diagnosed. It is not possible for every single case to be counted. "There's still a lot we don't know about, so we have to watch out," said sophomore Kristen Dachtler. The swine flu virus is new and was derived from many types of the flu. It is found in pigs for the most part, with those who handle pigs regularly being especially susceptible to the disease. Many people are choosing to wear masks to protect themselves from the disease or to avoid spreading it. "I'm not going to be surprised if this disease spreads fast," said sophomore Morgan Wright. It is expected that more severe cases will arise in the United States. A school in Sacramento even closed this week because of a possible swine flu case. A student at Saint Mel Catholic School just returned from Mexico and was not feeling good. In hopes to prevent a possible outbreak at the school, it was closed. Symptoms for the disease are dizziness, fatigue, high fever, and vomiting. "I was kind of scared that I could have had the swine flu," said an anonymous junior. "But it just turned out to be a cold." People are being cautioned to watch out for symptoms and stay home if sick. |