While we may not have heard as much recently about the H1N1 virus, or the swine flu, the virus continues to spread around the world.
Enough so that on Thursday, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. This is the first global flu pandemic declared in more than 40 years. Yet South Carolina health officials stress not to panic.
The mere mention of a "pandemic" can inspire thoughts of fear and panic, especially when dealing with a virus. But the approach to the swine flu virus has been split.
For some the virus has been a matter of proximity -- out of sight out of mind.
"I guess I wasn't super worried, especially since it wasn't around this area quite yet," said Jessica Armitage from Conway.
But for others, "It was scary, very scary," recalled Pamela Hudson of Carolina Forest.
"It was really scary at first," said Victoria Johnson of Conway, "I had some friends who had gone to Mexico on spring break, and when they came back, me and my roommate actually got sick. So we started doing a lot of research into it," she added.
It turned out that Johnson and her roommate were not among the confirmed cases in the state.
"Once it faded out of the headlines, I haven't put too much thought into it lately," admitted Johnson.
But it has continued to spread, now 60 confirmed cases in South Carolina -- 11 in the first week of June. Nationally, the CDC reports more than 13,000 cases. Globally, the WHO says 74 countries report more than 27,000 cases -- including 141 deaths since the outbreak began in April.
"The acknowledgment on the part of the WHO is really more a strategic move on their part, simply acknowledging that it has geographically spread pretty much everywhere. But it's a situation where it has not been any more severe or any more dangerous," said Thom Berry of South Carolina DHEC.
"I wouldn't say it's not a concern," admitted Pamela Hudson, "But what are you going to do? Unless you want to walk around with masks on."
DHEC says we don't have to go that far in the Palmetto State, as the cases have been mild in the U.S. and South Carolina compared to other places.
There are steps you can take. If you're sick stay home and most importantly keep your hands clean.
"We don't touch any handles when we're out in public. We're very careful to use our arms and not our hands. And as soon as we get back in our vehicle, we use our sterile wipes to make sure we're clean," said Cindy Persinger from Horry County.
This goes beyond swine flu.
"Yes, always, all the time, but we're even more alert to it now. We're carefull, very careful, even now especially with the pandemic," said Persinger.
Health officials do warn that the virus still has the potential to change into a more severe form, so people should still be cautious. U.S. health officials say cases could rise in the fall.
