State of emergency declared as U.S. swine flu cases rise to 20

(BakerfieldNow.com) UPDATED 2009-04-26

The federal government has declared a public health emergency to deal with swine flu, the Associated Press reports. The flu has killed up to 81 people in Mexico and sickened at least 20 in the United States. Officials say cases of swine flu have been reported in five states so far, and they expect more cases and more severe illness among Americans. The "state of emergency" declaration is a precautionary step, officials stress, and it doesn't signal a greater threat to Americans. But it does allow the federal and state governments easier access to flu tests and medications. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napilotano says about 12 million doses of the drug Tamiflu are being released from a federal stockpile so that states can get it if needed. Read full story >

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