New York:
The US has declared a public health emergency to deal with the emerging new swine flu. Twenty cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the US.
The cases of swine flu reported in the US so far have been mild but the administration is taking no chances.
In a rare white house press briefing, called for on a Sunday, the Obama Administration declared a public health emergency warning. However they say the emergency has been called for as a precaution to raise awareness and preparedness to combat swine flu, not to create public alarm.
"This is standard operating procedure and allows us to free up federal, state and local agencies and their resources for prevention and mitigation," said Janet Napolitano, US Homeland Security Secretary.
Since the Avian flu crisis, in 2005 the United States has stockpiled anti flu drugs. Now, 12 million doses of the drug Tamiflu have been moved from a federal stockpile to various states to be on stand by in case of need.
"As we look for cases of swine flu, we are seeing more cases of swine flu, we expect to see more cases of swine flu," said Doctor Richard Besser, Acting Chief, Centre for Disease Control.
Unlike in Mexico, where dozens have been killed by the same strain of Swine flu, cases in the United State have been mild but US health authorities can't yet explain why.
The outbreak in the United States comes before President Obama even has his full health team in place. His nominee for The Senate has, not yet confirmed his nominee for health secretary, but the administration says that should not be a cause for concern as they are in control of the situation.
Asian governments are also on alert though there are no reported cases so far.
What is Swine flu It's a respiratory disease that commonly affects pigs. Though rare, it sometimes affects humans, who work closely with infected pigs like in a barn.
After that it can spread from human to human like normal flu. It's symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing.