As a fear of swine flu overwhelms the U.S. and countries worldwide, the LSU Emergency Operations Center, in conjunction with local and state officials, is monitoring its spread.While the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against swine flu infection, the LSU EOC recommends the University community take precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.These precautions include the use of a tissue when coughing or sneezing and proper disposal of the tissue, frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers and avoiding contact with eyes, noses and mouths, according to a University news release. There are 40 confirmed cases in the U.S., and the death toll has reached 149 in Mexico. The symptoms of swine flu closely resemble the symptoms of seasonal flu including fever,  sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue, and it’s impossible to determine at-risk populations, said to Raoult Ratard, the state epidemiologist.”We don’t know if there are some age groups that are more susceptible or not,” Ratard said. “It looks like if you are in contact [with it], you will get it.”Though there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Louisiana, the Crisis Action Team of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness is activated, and the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals activated a statewide surveillance system Friday, according to a news release from the Office of the Governor.”We are working with the LA Hospital Association, which is doing an assessment of their capacity, and we are working with Louisiana pharmacies to assess the availability of anti-flu drugs,” Jindal said in the release. “Regional [Office of Public Health] medical directors are also in the process of communicating with each hospital in their region to confirm receipt of a Health Alert and to answer any questions.”Jolie Adams, public information officer for the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals, said emergency room patients who exhibit flu-like symptoms will be “rapid” tested to determine whether they have the flu and, if so, what strain is present. Samples collected from suspected swine flu patients will then be sent to the state lab and, if a case of swine flu is still suspected, it will be sent to the CDC for further testing.If cases are found in Louisiana, public health officials will work to find where the cases came from and to ensure the disease is not spread, Ratard said.”We don’t want people to get really worried,” Adams said. “When you think you might be sick or see sick people, practice social distancing.”—-Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected]