Warren: No Need To Panic Over Swine Flu

Public Health Secretary urges public to be 'cautious, but not afraid'

MAVOCKE, ARA--Public Health Secretary Dr. Pamela Warren is asking the public to be "cautious, but not afraid," amid the swine flu pandemic.

Appearing on all three major Sunday morning political television programs, Warren acknowledged the severity of the pandemic, but cautioned against "outright panic."

"Is this a pandemic? Technically yes. But the word 'pandemic' implies a sense of fear, and that's not something we want to convey to people," she told the GBC's Gene Caughley on Weekend Glance.

Warren also updated the latest figures for the disease in Grassadella. The number currently stands at 45 cases nation-wide, with Damoign having the most cases at 12. Five states have no reported cases.

When asked by GNN's James Madine on Sunday Tea what the government is doing to prevent the spread of the illness, Warren explained necessary steps are being taken to prevent "mass infection."

"I can tell you that the federal government is working with the state governments, and we are working on isolating and quarantining those that are already infected, and we are also working on increasing our supply of vaccinations and medications that can be used to combat this disease," she said.

Warren also said she's working closely with National Security Secretary Michelle Gates and Transportation Secretary Mike Gritzky to beef up security checks at national border crossings and international airports to prevent infected citizens from other countries from entering Grassadella.

"I can assure you, Secretary Gates and Secretary Gritzky and I and President Menuhaeo and everyone else in this administration is working tirelessly to keep this under control," Warren said.

Secretaries Warren and Gates, along with Agriculture Secretary Richard Atbage and Transportation Secretary Mike Gritzky, will make an appearance with President Menuhaeo tomorrow at the president's daily press briefing. GNN will have live coverage.