Health officials brace for swine flu's possible spread to Mich.

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As swine flu increases in prevalence across the U.S. and possible cases begin to appear in Michigan, state health officials are making preparations in the event of an outbreak.

The U.S. government declared a health emergency Sunday after 20 cases were reported. The U.S. first became aware of the virus Friday, Ingham County spokesman Marcus Cheatham said.

Although the swine flu had not been confirmed in Michigan as of Monday night, one Michigan resident has shown consistent symptoms and is awaiting results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said James McCurtis, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

In Ingham County, several people have shown similar symptoms, Cheatham said.

“It’s spreading very rapidly and we expect to see it coming into Michigan,” he said.

The virus is easily spread, creating concern for the possibility of a pandemic, swine disease expert and MSU professor Barbara Straw said. University representatives are urging students to stay home from class and visit a doctor if they show flu-like symptoms, of a fever, cough, sore throat, chills and fatigue.

Four MSU students are studying in Mexico, where most cases have been reported, university spokesman Kent Cassella said. The students are in good health, and their classes have been suspended, he said.

The university has not made a decision as to whether students should remain in Mexico or return to the U.S., he said.

The DNA within the swine flu indicates it originated in a pig in Asia or Europe, Straw said. Americans with the disease were not in contact with pigs.

“Whether they sort of briefly encountered somebody at the mall and that person had been somewhere, it’s all conjecture,” Straw said.

There was no cause for concern at MSU as of Monday night, she said.

Psychology sophomore Anita Foss said she isn’t concerned about the virus and teases her friends for wearing masks over their faces in fear of the flu.

“It’s kind of silly,” she said. “I know it’s a big deal, but I don’t think it’s that severe. If I heard about it (happening here) I would definitely get concerned and do more about it.”

Cheatham said Ingham County medical authorities are waiting for further information from the CDC regarding the virus.

“If it’s a bad disease, we need to make sure we have everything we need. If it’s mild, we’ll all breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.

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