Gov. Barbour: Mississippians Should Not Panic Over Swine Flu

    JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Gov. Haley Barbour says that with no confirmed cases of swine flu in Mississippi, people should not panic.
    Barbour told reporters at the Capitol Tuesday that “the news coverage is a lot more dangerous than the epidemic.“
    He said people should use common sense and practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of any illness.
    He also discouraged people from trying get the antiviral drug Tamiflu if they don’t need it. The Food and Drug Administration originally approved Tamiflu for the prevention and treatment of influenza in adults and children age 1 and older.
    State Health Officer Dr. Ed Thompson said Monday that Mississippi has requested 75,000 additional dosages of Tamiflu from the national stockpile.
    Barbour said the scare over swine flu “may turn out to be a big fizzle.“