Definition of the word swine flu

The term "swine flu" is a popular term for a type of influenza virus that originates in pigs. This type of virus is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The first documented outbreak of swine flu in humans occurred in 1976 in the United States, when over 600 military recruits were infected with a new strain of the virus. The name "swine flu" was coined because the virus was originally identified in pigs, but it does not make pigs any sicker than it does people. In 2009, a new strain of swine flu, H1N1, emerged and spread rapidly around the world, resulting in a global pandemic. The widespread use of the term "swine flu" during that outbreak led to confusion and concerns about eating pork, as some people thought that consuming pork could somehow spread the virus. However, the risk of contracting swine flu from eating pork is very low, as the virus is not commonly spread through food. Today, the official name for this type of virus is "influenza A virus subtype H1N1," but the popular term "swine flu" remains in use.