"Much like the government does to prepare for approaching hurricanes," reports AP, the U.S. government officially declared a public health emergency today due to the swine flu. So far, conformed outbreaks are as follows: four (4) people affected in Canada, sickened at least (20) in the U.S. (or 11, depending on which report you want to believe), and "killed dozens" in Mexico.

"We are declaring today a public health emergency," Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said today at a White House news briefing, going on to say that the declaration is "standard operating procedure."

Napolitano went on to point out, "We really don't know ultimately what the size or seriousness of this outbreak is going to be," but precautionary measures are being taken. Around 12 million doses of the drug Tamiflu "will be moved from a federal stockpile to places where states can quickly get their share if they decide they need it." California, Texas, New York, Ohio, and Kansas will be given top priority to the drug, since those are the area where the flu has been reported.