• Pandemic Flu Kit (Medium/Large)

• Pandemic Flu Kit (Small)

• Go-Kit Flu and Infectious Diseases

• Go-Kit Pandemic Preparedness Kit

• Pandemic Swine Flu First Aid and Safety Kit

Swine Flu

The news on swine flu has circled the globe at a fast and frenzied pace – mirroring the panicked news reporting of years’ past in the face of West Nile virus, killer bees, and Bird Flu. With potentially thousands sick from the disease, and approximately 150 deaths blamed on it to date, health officials are watching the progression of its spread with a guarded eye; warning the public to be aware but not to panic. But with so little known about the mutation of this flu strain and unsure how far and how fast it is likely to spread, people around the world are sitting up and taking notice – wondering what they can do to protect themselves and their families.

Swine Influenza or Swine Flu receives its name from the host it is most likely to inhabit. This particular strain of influenza virus typically affects swine (pigs) and has been known to cross infect humans who work closely with both swine and poultry – especially those who have concentrated exposure. From there, however, this type of influenza can mutate into a flu strain that is possible to pass from one person to another. This is the health crisis that we are currently facing.

In this particular case, the outbreak began in Mexico where there have been approximately 150 deaths and nearly 2,000 hospitalized with symptoms that are suspect of exposure. Here in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are presently sixty four confirmed cases including 45 in New York City, 10 in California, 2 in Kansas, 6 in Texas, and 1 in Ohio. More probable cases continue to appear around the United States. Additionally, there have been confirmations in Canada, Spain, France, New Zealand, and Israel.

While many of who have been infected in the U.S. appear to have been exposed to a strain of the virus that causes only mild symptoms, there are some that have acquired more serious and deadly strains of the virus.

At present time the CDC has issued a travel warning against all non-essential travel to Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak, and have raised their pandemic alert level to Phase 4, meaning that the virus has confirmed its ability to spread person to person, resulting in “community-level outbreaks.”

Subsequently, hospitals are more closely monitoring those patients that come in complaining of symptoms that could be related to Swine Flu. Such symptoms include those that we may expect from a typical seasonal flu including fatigue, sore throat, coughing, lack of appetite and – in some – diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

Additionally, the CDC is releasing some anti-viral medications to help deal with the outbreak. But in terms of prevention, they are recommending frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water, covering mouth and nose with tissues when sneezing or coughing, and staying home if you feel ill.

Many are taking prevention into their own hands, however, staying away from crowded places where their potential exposure is significantly increased and stocking up on preparedness kits so that they can better protect themselves and their families. Browse through our selection of flu preparedness kits below.