As reported in the news, there has been a swine influenza outbreak and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is working on measurements to control the spread of the virus.

The CDC recommends the following proper hygiene practices for staying healthy:

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

* Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing and sneezing of infected people.

* If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.


For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or visit the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ and the World Health Organization website http://www.who.int/en/. The situation is likely to change rapidly in the coming days and frequent monitoring of these websites is recommended.