The U.S. government declared on Sunday a public health emergency to deal with the outbreak of the swine flu in America.
Officials reported 20 U.S. cases of swine flu in five states so far, with the latest in Ohio and New York.
The new flu strain has already killed as many as 81 people in Mexico.
Much like the government does to prepare for approaching hurricanes, the federal emergency plan calls for several steps, including moving a flu drug stockpile to areas where it can be used quickly if needed.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napilotano says roughly 12 million doses of the drug Tamiflu are being released from a federal stockpile so that states can get it if needed.
[Image via WENN.]