A 23 month old Mexican baby has died of swine flu in Texas, southern US, and became the first to die from the virus outside Mexico.

The World Health Organization stated that the virus was still spreading, even though it was now from person to person.

The cases of deadly flu have now been confirmed in the US, UK, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, Israel, and Germany, which has become the latest country to swine flu cases.

Almost a week after the menace of a deadly disease emerged in Mexico, that country remained the hardest hit, with up to 159 deaths.

Mexico is enquiring the estimated 159 people killed, and suspected 1600 cases of the deadly disease.

Six European Union states are examining patients who could have the bug.

Other nations that have also declared high-alert, and in checking mode include Australia, South Korea and Peru.

It’s really important that you must really know the following:

•    Because Swine flu is a newly mutated disease so there is no vaccine yet to cure or control it. It is a virus, which blends genetic material detected in four viral strains, both human and animal.

•    India has not yet reported any case of swine flu, though it is on alert. Testing passengers at nine international airports across the country is being strictly followed.

•    Passengers having symptoms of swine-flu will be sent to quarantine, officials say and afterward sent for treatment.

•    Treatment internationally involves the anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu and Relenza, which the Indian administration does have reserves of. There is an available stock of a million doses and an order for two million more is being placed.

•    Indian health authorities have set up a toll-free number 1075 and 23921401 under the Integrated Diseases Surveillance Project for people to report flu-like symptoms.

•    It is important to start treatment within hours of the start of symptoms.

•    A big reason for worry is that viruses turn resistant to drugs, so there's no method to guess how long they'll stay effectual.

Some important points that help you can try to protect yourself:

•    Avoid traveling to affected regions.

•    Watch out for regular flu-like symptoms and do consult your medical doctor if you're concerned.

•    Keep in mind the basic hygiene practices.

•    Cover your mouth while coughing and sneezing.

•    Wash your hands on a regular basis in order to lessen your chances of having an infection.

•    Keep away from infected people.

•    The virus spreads when you touch something with flu virus on it and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.