It's probably splashed across one of your favorite 24-hour news channels right now, accompanied by a headline that says something like "Are we prepared?" or "How to prevent panic."
The swine flu pandemic has made it to America.
About 40 cases of the influenza strain that originated in Mexico have appeared in the United States. While victims of the disease have been hospitalized, no U.S. cases have been fatal.
In Mexico, where treatment is less available, the problem is more serious. More than 1,600 cases have been confirmed and about 150 people have died.
Health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say, though, that there is no need for alarm in the U.S., and that especially applies to the Ball State University campus.
The chance of a student contracting swine flu on campus is nearly impossible, according to Ball State officials who are trained in handling disease outbreaks at the university. After the 2006 avian flu pandemic, Ball State developed a plan in case such a disease ever reaches campus.
For now, though, no cases have been confirmed in Indiana.
Despite the disease's name, swine flu cannot be contracted from pork products. It spreads like any flu, through coughing, sneezing and touching someone who is contagious.
For this reason, the CDC recommends that people wash their hands and practice common sense to avoid the disease and to contact their doctor if they feel flu-like symptoms.
A little common sense can also prevent against the spread of panic.
The university has taken the necessary steps to protect students from the already slim risk of swine flu, for instance, by taking the temperature of every visitor to the Amelia T. Wood Health Center. Ball State also has a plan in place in case the disease makes it to campus.
When swine flu has been contracted in the U.S., it has been treated thanks to the quality of available medical care.
The disease does have the potential to harm a population in a significant way, as has been seen in Mexico.
Here, though, we're pretty safe. No need to panic.
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