Key facts about swine flu

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-28-2009 09:03

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1. What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu occur regularly among pigs, but people do not normally get infected.

Key facts about swine flu

The new strain found originally in Mexico and the United States is a mixture of swine, human and avian flu viruses, carrying the designation H-1-N-1. Authorities have determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human, although little is known about how easily the virus can spread among humans.