Swine flu was reported in New York City in April 2009, with the first confirmed cases cropping up at St. Francis Prep School in Queens, New York. The swine flu is a respiratory infection that normally affects pigs; the infection was first detected in humans in Mexico, and many of the people affected by the illness have either recently visited Mexico or have been in contact with someone who has.
As of May 1, instances of swine flu in Brooklyn have been minimal. Two Brooklyn schools, St. Brigid's School in Bushwick and Good Shepherd School in Marine Park, have reported possible cases and are closed at least until Monday, May 4.
The World Health Organization recently raised its pandemic threat level for the illness to five, meaning, according to WHO, that a "pandemic is imminent."
What does that mean for Brooklyn?
At this point, not much. So far, swine flu cases in the U.S. have been mild. New Yorkers have been advised to follow their normal routines.
The symptoms of the swine flu are similar to those of the regular flu: fever, chills, body ache, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat.