{NOTE – This story contains out-of-date info about the number of cases in our area. For updated Sacramento-specific information, see the County’s DPH website.}
The first case of Swine Flu has been confirmed in the Sacramento area, so get ready for the en-sooey-ing panic.
Sorry.
To avoid unnecessary panic and worry, it is important to understand the facts behind the 2009 Swine bug. The strain(s) of the virus that have been popping up in the United States appears to be a milder version of the more lethal strains that have been found in other countries. Only one patient has required hospitalization, an elderly woman. Everyone else has gotten a nasty flu and recovered. This is the only the 8th case in California and the 40th in the US, so the chances of getting it appear to be quite slim. (Update: 3 positive cases in Fair Oaks, making a total of 10 CA cases as of 4/28)
This is not a deadly superbug. Let’s hope it stays that way.
It is also not spread by eating pigs. Please maintain your normal bacon consumption level.
The Sac Rag 