An Interactive Google map showing markers for Swine Flu suspects and confirmations in 2009

Click Markers: Pink markers are suspect. Purple markers are confirmed or probable Deaths lack a dot in marker. Yellow markers are negative.

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map. Use your mouse to interact with the map.

Swine influenza (also swine flu) refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV).

Swine flu is common in swine and rare in humans. People who work with swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine influenza if the swine carry a strain able to infect humans. However, these strains rarely are able to pass from human to human. Rarely, SIV mutates into a form able to pass easily from human to human.

The strain responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak is believed to have undergone such a mutation. This virus is named swine flu because one of its surface proteins is similar to viruses that usually infect pigs however this strain is spreading in people and it is unknown if it infects pigs.