Bizarre Swine Flu Strikes West

Seven people in California and Texas have been struck by swine flu despite having no contact with pigs, the Los Angeles Times reports. Baffled investigators believe the unusual, newly detected form of the flu may be spreading from person to person. The symptoms are similar to standard influenza, leading officials to believe there may be more undetected cases out there.

All seven victims have made full recoveries from the virus, which contains segments of pig, bird, and human viruses. Health officials say that while there is currently no cause for alarm, they are monitoring developments closely. "Any time there is a new influenza virus that can be spread from person to person, public health officials get concerned,"  said a doctor from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(More influenza stories.)