EAST LANSING, Mich. — From veterinary medicine to human medicine to agricultural research, Michigan State University has several experts available to discuss the recent swine flu outbreak that has sickened people worldwide and proved fatal in Mexico.

The virus, a highly contagious respiratory illness, is most commonly spread person-to-person via airborne droplets through coughing or sneezing. Health officials urge frequent hand-washing and other normal precautions such as covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and staying home if you are sick.

The following MSU professors and researchers can discuss different aspects of the swine flu: 

• Peter Gulick, professor of internal medicine in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Gulick is an expert in infectious diseases and how viruses can be transmitted from human to human. Phone: (517) 353-3211, e-mail: gulick@msu.edu.

• Mary Nettleman, chairperson of the College of Human Medicine’s Department of Medicine. Nettleman can discuss patient care in regards to swine flu and the public health implications. Phone: (517) 432-9124, e-mail: nettlem2@msu.edu.

• Barbara Straw, professor of large animal clinical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Straw is an expert in swine diseases and overall swine health care. She can discuss the potential impact of this flu. Phone: (517) 432-5199, e-mail: straw@cvm.msu.edu.
  
  
• Dale Rozeboom, associate professor, Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Rozeboom can discuss the biosecurity impact of the flu. Phone: (517) 355-8398, e-mail: rozeboom@msu.edu.
  
  
• Nigel Paneth, professor, College of Human Medicine’s Department of Epidemiology. Paneth is a pediatrician and epidemiologist who can discuss the impact swine flu has on humans. Phone: (517) 884-1876, e-mail: paneth@epi.msu.edu.
  
  

For more information, go to http://special.news.msu.edu/h1n1/.

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