Swine flu could become an epidemic

We’ve all had the flu – but did you know it kills thousands of people every year? Now there may be an even deadlier strain of the illness – swine flu. In Mexico, swine flu has already killed over 100 people. Schools and public buildings are closed in Mexico City and people are wearing masks to protect themselves. Marcelo Ebrard Ebrard, Mayor of Mexico City, is also wearing a mask. "I’m doing it to promote its use, as the potential damage for the city is very high," Ebrard told CNN. Swine flu is found in pigs but can spread to humans, causing fever, tiredness, diarrhea, vomiting and trouble breathing. Doctors are especially worried because people have no natural immunity to the illness, so it could spread fast and turn into an epidemic. Swine flu has already appeared in other countries like the US, Spain, New Zealand and Canada. Some countries are worried that tourists may be carrying the disease, so they are testing people arriving at airports. After all, past flu epidemics have killed millions of people.