As of last Tuesday, an unnamed student attending Fairfax High may have contracted the Swine Flu. There have been 109 cases of the Swine Flu in the US so far with 14 cases in California and one death in Texas. The World Health Organization announced last week that the Swine Flu, is now a world pandemic.

The Swine Flu is a respiratory virus that originally passed from pigs to humans and vice versa. You cannot be infected by eating pork. There usually is only one case of the Swine Flu in the US every one to two years with only 12 reported cases in the past four years. 

LAUSD has sent letters home concerning the Swine Flu, encouraging families to keep students home if they are sick. 

Venice High teacher Mr. Tory Toyama says that the Swine Flu at Venice is something to consider and be aware of, but it is not the time to worry. 

The symptoms of the Swine Flu are similar to the regular influenza. Those infected have reported having fevers, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  The Center for Disease Control recommends the anti-viral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir ((Relenza) for the treatment or prevention of the Swine Flu.

Teachers have been told by School Principal Lonnie Wallace that if a student shows symptoms that they should be sent to the nurse. 

The European Union has cases in six of it's countries, but the EU Health Commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou said that there was "no need to panic." Airports internationally are using heat cameras to see who may have a fever.

According to the CDC, to avoid getting the flu one must frequently wash their hands, avoid touching tough surfaces that may contain the flu virus, get plenty of sleep, eat fruits, and avoid contact with sick people.