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The Department of Health and Human Services "will declare today a public health emergency in the United States," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told a White House briefing.
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U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano speaks during a news briefing on the swine flu outbreak at White House in Washington, capital of the United States, April 26, 2009. The U.S. declared a public health emergency Sunday amid an outbreak of 20 confirmed cases of swine flu. |
Similar emergency declarations were issued for floods in recent months in the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota and President Barack Obama's inauguration in January, she said.
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Acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Richard Besser speaks during a press briefing on the swine flu outbreak at White House in Washington, capital of the United States, April 26, 2009. The U.S. declared a public health emergency Sunday amid an outbreak of 20 confirmed cases of swine flu. |
"Travelers who do present with symptoms, if and when encountered, will be isolated per established rules," she said.
"They will be provided both with personal protective equipment and we'll continue to emphasize universal hand washing."
A total of 20 swine flu cases have been confirmed in the United States, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Richard Besser said in the same briefing.
The 20 cases confirmed so far are in New York, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California, Besser told a White House briefing. He also expected more cases and more severe illness among Americans.
Besser says things are moving fast and that authorities expect the virus to spread. But he assured Americans that health officials are taking action to minimize its impact.