Swine flu was first documented in the early twentieth century and then resurfaced in 1976.  It was carefully contained by a program of inoculation and the disease stepped back into history for a time.

The disease resurfaced in Veracruz, Mexico, in April 2009 in a four year old boy.  It was quickly spread throughout towns in Mexico; in La Gloria, sixty percent of the population fell under the disease and sought medical care.  Just over a week later, doctors noticed that the disease was strengthening into respiratory problems, namely pneumonia.  The next day, the Center for Disease Control discovered that two children in Southern California had contracted the same disease in late March.  The flu began to spread through California and Texas, prompting fear and scrambles for ways to stymie its spread, such as face masks; as well as demands for a cure.  Mexico shuts down much of its infrastructure as confirmed cases begin pouring in.  By the end of April, the disease has cases in America, Canada, Spain, and New Zealand; all among people who had recently visited Mexico. The World Health Organization stepped up its alert to Phase Four.  The disease quickly spreads to the Middle East and Asia.  By the end of April, one month since the disease was spotted; there are hundreds of cases and one American death.

By May, the disease is going fairly strong with many confirmed cases, though only a few deaths.  However, Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico are cancelled and three boars in a zoo are killed.  By the end of May one twenty year old man in Salt Lake City is dead and most people know that the disease hits young adults as surely as it hits the elderly and children.  This maintains an atmosphere of carefully contained fear and worry among the population of most countries.  Doctors stepped up their efforts to create a vaccination.

By June 11, the WHO declares the swine flu a pandemic, the first one in just over forty years. Reports are streaming all over the internet about how to prevent the disease, symptoms, causes, and no fear panic stricken reports.  There are also many advertisements for prevention medicines to keep from getting the flu in the first place such as zanamivir and oseltamivir which are antiviral agents that can help alleviate many of the symptoms of the flu.  There is no vaccination yet, but one is expected to hit the markets by fall, or even late summer.