The Mississippi State Department of Health reports that H1N1 flu, known as swine flu, continues to spread rapidly in Mississippi. Since the first confirmed case May 15, the count has now reached 212. Additionally, residents have seen 73 cases of seasonal flu since the end of April.

Symptoms of both flu illnesses are similar, with fever, respiratory issues and body aches. The Health Department continues to urge basic hygienic precautions to avoid spreading the flu, and urge those with symptoms to see a doctor.

The World Health Organization considers the swine flu a global pandemic, meaning that community outbreaks of an illness spread from person to person have been seen in at least three countries, two of which are in different WHO regions.

The Centers for Disease Control say that about 36,000 Americans die of flu-related complications. Over 90 percent of those deaths occur in people 65 and older.