1. How many people have died around the world from the swine flu (H1N1 flu virus)? How many of those deaths were in the U.S.?

2. a) Define pandemic.
b) What will cause the WHO to declare a pandemic?
c) In what year was the last flu pandemic declared?

3. What would a pandemic declaration require countries around the world to do?

4. Why won't the declaration of a pandemic have any impact on the U.S.?

5. Why is the WHO trying to eliminate misunderstandings about the virus?

6. Read the information from science/health blogger Michael Fumento in the "Background" box below. How does this information affect your thinking about the possibility of the swine flu becoming a pandemic? Explain your answer.