The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza virus, officially named the "new H1N1", first identified in April 2009, and commonly called "Swine flu." It is thought to be a mutation of four known strains of the influenza A virus, subtype H1N1: one endemic in (normally infecting) humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). Experts assume the virus "most likely" emerged from pigs in Asia, and was carried to North America by infected persons. Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human, with cooked pork products safe to eat as the virus cannot be transmitted by eating foods.

According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include: fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent cough runny nose or stuffy nose sore throat body aches headache chills fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu

According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent

cough

runny nose or stuffy nose

sore throat

body aches

headache

chills

fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme

diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu

DOs Wash your hands Avoid crowded places Stay more than one arm's length distance from persons sick with flu Get plenty of sleep Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food DO NOTs Shake hands or hug in greeting Spit in public Take medicines without consulting a physician If you are sick, PLEASE Stay home and limit contact with others as much as possible Rest and take plenty of liquids Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze Seek medical advice if needed WHO said it is safe to eat well-cooked pork

DOs

Wash your hands

Avoid crowded places

Stay more than one arm's length distance from persons sick with flu

Get plenty of sleep

Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

DO NOTs

Shake hands or hug in greeting

Spit in public

Take medicines without consulting a physician

If you are sick, PLEASE

Stay home and limit contact with others as much as possible

Rest and take plenty of liquids

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

Seek medical advice if needed

WHO said it is safe to eat well-cooked pork