Widespread fear and panic seems to be on the decline as health experts express that the H1N1 virus also known as swine flu is not as dangerous as previously thought. With the rapid spread of the new strand of the influenza virus, health officials took every precaution necessary in case the situation deteriorated into a massive health crisis.
Last week in Mexico, government officials ordered the shutdown of all schools until May 6, with the reopening depending on the severity of the situation. Business seems to be back to normal in the busy streets of Mexico City, yet residents are not taking any chances. Even if the H1N1 strand of the influenza virus is just as potent as the most common strand known to North America, an average of 150 people die daily during any given flu season.
The World Health Organization classified the outbreak as a phase 5 alert level, meaning that a pandemic is imminent, and is now stating that it has no intentions in categorizing the outbreak with its highest alert level, 6.
The University of San Diego closely coordinated its efforts with local and state health officials in order to remain alert. Although no classes or activities at USD were cancelled, the suspicion of a possible case of swine flu on campus did enable officials to raise their alert level in order to ensure the virus did not affect the university in any serious manner.
As worry about the virus decreases around campus, students weigh in on their experience last week.Senior Alexa Perez explained the recent changes in her routine. "I did become more alert with the situation and my surroundings, but didn't find it necessary to panic. I just took small additional precautions."
General consensus around campus is that students were more worried about the fate of their "finals week" than the virus itself.
The virus has been confirmed to be the cause of death of at least 25 people in Mexico so far as opposed to the more than 150 suspected H1N1 deaths. Only one person, an infant, in the United States has died of the swine flu.
More than 35,000 people die in the United States alone of the regular flu each year, mostly the elder, infants and others with susceptible immune systems.
