Tuesday, November 17, 2009

How does swine flu spread?

LA Spencer Family please read the following about the swine flu.....



How common is swine flu infection in humans?
In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.
What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
How does swine flu spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Early College High School


The mission of the ECHS program, in conjunction with higher education and community partners, is to successfully prepare students to complete an associate’s degree, or, two years toward a four year degree, while they are still in high school. Because of this mission, planning in collaboration with college partners is crucial to ECHS. Backward mapping of the curriculum and early exposure to campus life and course work are two innovative features that separate ECHS from an ordinary high school experience. Collaboration with the Newark ECHS includes the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, in an advisory capacity, as well as Essex County College and Rutgers University as higher education partners. The key academic component is an aggressively rigorous course sequence for students beginning in grade 6, combined with an affective support system that will enable the goal of reaching beyond a high school diploma toward a college degree.