Swine Flu: The Start of an Epidemic

Name: _________________________________       Date: _____________

In late April 2009, the United States declared a health emergency after a new strain of the swine flu virus raced through the population. New cases surfaced daily. After the flu spread quickly to many other countries around the planet, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its health alert to phase 5, the second highest level. This level signals that a global pandemic is possible.

In this Planet Diary activity, you'll track the early spread of the outbreak and see where the situation is at now. You'll also learn the facts about swine flu and find out what you can do to help avoid it.

1. What does the swine flu virus look like? Check out this electron microscope photo and read the caption. What is the definition of swine flu?
   
   
   
   
2. Examine this WHO data on the spread of swine flu in the early days of the outbreak:
   

   	U.S. Cases	Worldwide Cases
   Update 1 (4/24)	7	no data
   Update 2 (4/26)	20	38
   Update 3 (4/27)	40	72
   Update 4 (4/28)	64	105
   Update 5 (4/29)	91	148
   Update 6 (4/30)	109	257
   Update 7 (5/1)	109	331
   Update 8 (5/1)	141	367
   Update 9 (5/1)	141	615
   Update 10 (5/2)	160	658
   Update 11 (5/3)	160	787

   Graph the data with a double line graph, with one line for U.S. totals and the other for worldwide totals. Use two different colors. Put the updates on the horizontal axis and the number of cases on the vertical axis. Label both axes and add a title and color key on your graph.
   
   
3. Look closely at your graphs. What conclusions can you draw about the early spread of the swine flu? How do the U.S. and world graphs compare?
   
   
   
   
4. Now take a look at the latest WHO swine flu update. Click the most recent situation update (the one on top) and read the report. How has the situation changed since update 11?
   
   
   
   
5. Read this Planet Diary journal entry about the swine flu outbreak. What is causing the outbreak?
   
   
   
   
6. What is so unusual about the strain of the virus responsible for the outbreak?
   
   
   
   
7. Why does this strain spread so easily in the human population?
   
   
   
   
8. What is "alarming" about the outbreak?
   
   
   
   
9. To get more facts about swine flu, read Swine Flu and You from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How is swine flu spread?
   
   
   
   
10. What does the CDC's advise to avoid getting the flu?