Flu pandemic

The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, identified in April 2009 and commonly referred to as swine flu, which infects and is transmitted between humans. This disease had drawn thw whole world attention and everyone is trying to avoid it.

A June 17, 2009 update by the U.N.'s World Health Organization (WHO) states that "76 countries have officially reported 39,620 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 167 deaths". The disease is spreading all over the whole and it's very hard to handle the problems now. The virus typically spreads from coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth.

There is also concern that the virus could mutate later in the year and become more virulent and less susceptible to any vaccine developed to protect from an earlier strain. This concern is partly due to the memory of the 1918 flu pandemic, which is thought to have killed between 40 and 100 million people, and was preceded by a wave of milder cases in the spring.

Some countries began quarantining foreign visitors suspected of having or being in contact with others who may have been infected. Some governments have also suggested pre-screening "outbound" passengers from countries that are thought to have a high rate of infection. In order to that, the spreading disease through countries can be decreased.

Many of the schools have also closed because of uncontrolable of the sickness. It's sad to see people suffering, I hope that the disease can come to an end as early as possible.