Taking a shot at the flu

A second case of the swine flu resulted in the closure of the Valley's Boys & Girls Club this week.

Douglas County has nearly two dozen cases of swine flu so far, according to the Nevada State Health Division.

According to officials, both cases at the club are of the relatively mild version that sparked a pandemic throughout the world.

So far there have been 468 confirmed and suspected cases in the state.

While the United States has had a large number of cases, the latest version of the flu has been reported to be mild by medical professionals.

But there is a warning to go along with the reassurances.

The influenza of 1918, which killed 20-40 million people at the end of World War I, started out as a mild version which swept around the world.

According to John Barry, author of "The Great Influenza," the pandemic began as a mild spring wave.

People today have questioned the coverage of our latest influenza outbreak, but in 1918, information about the disease was suppressed. Fear festered along with the disease in the dark.

We urge residents to follow basic rules when dealing with flu-like symptoms, including washing, covering up when coughing and staying home when sick.

When flu shots become available to deal with this version of the disease, take them, for the sake of ourselves and our loved ones.