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P MINNESOTA SWIN FLU CASES TEST NEGATIVE Story Published: Apr 26, 2009 at 9:03 PM CDT Story Updated: Apr 26, 2009 at 9:03 PM CDT Minnesota Health Department Officials were concerned the swine flu may have hit the state, but today it announced those potential cases tested negative. Though that's certainly good news, Tiffany Tarrolly shows us how everyone should be preparing for a pandemic. "We know there's going to be another influenza pandemic. We don't know which virus it is we don't know when it will happen," said Dr. Linda Van Etta, an epidemiologist who studies infectious disease. This flu strain, could be it. "There's no reason to panic, let's just continue to prepare," said Dr. Van Etta. She says though it's been a mild out- break in the States thus far, the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Department are taking it very seriously. In response, the CDC has released 20- percent of its national stock pile of the anti- viral Tami- Flu, which the swine influenza IS receptive to. Dr. Van Etta says the Minnesota Department of Health is doing a thorough job of preparing the state for the potential disaster, including investing in the anti- virus. "Not all the states purchased all that was available to them but Minnesota through the planning for the Minnesota Department of Health encouraged Governor Pawlenty to really purchase everything we could so we do have a stock pile," said Van Etta. Because an influenza pandemic is inevitable, Doctors and officials have been encouraging folks to prepare themselves for the past several years; and now is not the time to procrastinate. If this swine flu is the next pandemic, it could make 30 to 40 percent of the population ill. "There could be a disruption in critical services and so what we need to do is we need to make sure, just like we would before any other natural disaster like a blizzard or something, we all stock up on a little bit of food, if you can do even up to 2 weeks in your house," said Van Etta. She says gloves, N95 masks and hand sanitizer are critical. "If you had to care for a loved one at home because if 30-40 percent of the pop becomes sick over a period of several weeks I mean we'd be overwhelmed in the health care system and so we would need a lot of people unless they're really critically ill most people would have to stay home and take care of each other," said Van Etta. Dr. Van Etta says even if this turns into a mild pandemic, we need to be ready. "We have to prepare as if it's gong to be very severe," she said. There are several resources for prepping yourself. Go here for a planning guide. On Saturday May 2, several organizations are holding an anti-virus rationing ethics panel at St. Scholastica. But you have to register ahead of time to go. Dr. Van Etta encourages all concerned citizens to attend.