House panel schedules emergency swine flu hearing this week, out of concern about an outbreak

House panel to probe swine flu outbreak

WASHINGTON — A House committee will hold an emergency hearing this week on increasing cases of swine flu in the United States and other countries.

Health subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., said Monday that his session will address the public’s concern over a potential outbreak and make sure that government agencies are coordinating to protect people as efficiently as possible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 40 cases of swine flu in the U.S, half of those in New York City. So far, no one in the U.S. is known to have died from the illness.