The swine flu has hit one family right where they live. The Henshaw family has been in voluntary isolation since their son, their daughter and also the father were diagnosed with the swine flu virus. So how is the family coping? The Henshaws spoke to Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Tuesday from their home in Cibolo, Texas.

Kiran Chetry: Robin, you're still free of the swine flu. You are all wearing masks as a precaution and because our camera people are there filming in your home. Thanks for being with us. Patrick, why don't you start by telling us what happened. How did you guys find out that you, indeed, did have members of your family infected with swine flu and what happened from there?

Patrick Henshaw: Robin took Hayden to the doctor because he had had a fever, his throat was sore and we just assumed he might have strep throat or something. While she was at the doctor, a message came over the phone from our superintendent of education saying two children had tested positive for swine flu and so while they were at the doctor, I called her and asked her if they would see about checking Hayden and that is when he tested positive for that strain.

FULL POST

(CNN) — The number of suspected and confirmed swine flu cases rose around the world early Tuesday, as health officials announced new measures to contain the outbreak. By early Tuesday, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico was suspected in 152 deaths and more than 1,600 illnesses, its health minister told reporters.

So far, at least 90 cases have been confirmed worldwide, including 50 in the United States, 26 in Mexico (including seven deaths), six in Canada, three in New Zealand, two each in Spain and the United Kingdom, and one in Israel.

With at least 11 other countries suspecting infections, the World Health Organization has raised its alert level from three to four on its six-level scale.

The following is a sample of what some countries are doing to combat the virus:

CANADA
Cases: Six mild cases
Measures:
– Issued a travel health notice, saying its public health agency was “tracking clusters of severe respiratory illness with deaths in Mexico.”

CHINA
Cases: None
Measures:
– Banned pork imports from Mexico, and from California, Kansas and Texas in the United States.

INDIA
Cases: None
Measures:
– Indian health officials advised citizens to postpone their non-essential travel to the swine flu-hit regions.
– Stepped up surveillance at ports and airports.
– States asked to review their preparedness.

INDONESIA
Cases: None
Measures:
– Increased surveillance; testing the temperatures of travelers flying into the country.

ISRAEL
Cases: One man who recently returned from Mexico has tested positive for swine flu, and is recovering at a hospital. Doctors are running tests on a second man who also traveled to Mexico.
Measures:
– The Health Ministry has not issued special instructions to the public, nor adopted measures for monitoring those returning from Mexico.
– The country is calling the outbreak “Mexico flu” so that citizens do not have to pronounce the name of an animal considered impure in Judaism and Islam.

FULL POST

Acting CDC Director Richard Besser speaks to CNN's John Roberts about the swine flu outbreak.

Health officials around the world are working to contain what appears to be a spreading swine flu outbreak. As many as 103 deaths in Mexico are thought to have been caused by swine flu. The United States stepped up preparations for a possible epidemic of the virus after 20 cases were confirmed.

The European Union’s health commissioner Monday called on people to avoid traveling to both Mexico and the United States due to concerns about swine flu. “They should avoid traveling to Mexico or the USA unless it is very urgent for them,” said Andorra Vassiliou.

Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told CNN he disagrees with the warning against traveling to the United States. He spoke to John Roberts on CNN’s “American Morning” Monday.

John Roberts: Dr. Besser, you probably heard the warning from the health commissioner of the European Union warning against all nonessential travel to the United States. Given the fact that we've had 20 mild cases in this country, is that a prudent warning?

Richard Besser: It's very important that people look at travel in a situation where there's an outbreak taking place. We've posted recommendations regarding travel to Mexico and notified people about an outbreak taking place there. And we'll continue to look at those. You know, it would be my recommendation to a family member if they had nonessential travel to Mexico that they really reconsider that at this time.

Roberts: The EU health commissioner is warning against travel to the United States. That could have a huge economic impact. Is that the right warning to send at this time?

Besser: I don't think that's warranted. At this point, we've identified 20 cases of swine influenza in this country. Thankfully all of those people have recovered; only one of those people has required hospitalization. We are looking very hard for cases of swine flu. I expect we're going to find some and we'll find some of increasing severity and more of the mild cases. At this point, I would not put a travel restriction or recommendation against coming to the United States.

FULL POST