U.S. government warns of 'big influx' of swine flu infections

As the H1N1 swine flu virus reawakens among falling temperatures across the U.S., government officials from Homeland Security and from Education begin warning the general population of the pending impact.

With the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine not expected to begin reaching Americans until the end of October, American government officials have begun sounding alarms on the second wave of the swine flu - coaching the public on the importance of washing hands and of keeping schools open. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano weighed in on the matter, warning that the U.S. can expect a "big influx" of swine flu infections this season and suggesting the common sense practices of coughing into sleeves and washing hands. The government intends to keep schools open, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan told The Associated Press: "We're not going to be so lucky this year." And while schools have been doing what they can to prepare, the likelihood of widespread infection is quite high. White House estimates have suggested that the H1N1 swine flu virus could kill as many as 90,000 people in the U.S. this season. According to the World Health Organization, the H1N1 swine flu virus has killed more than 2,100 people worldwide - and has been particularly dangerous to school-aged children.