Here’s a story that no legal blog is going to pass up:
Mayer Brown has confirmed a possible swine flu outbreak at its Chicago office.
From the memo, penned by Allan Thompson, Director of Administration:
Mayer Brown has been notified that a summer associate in the Chicago Office may have contracted the H1N1 virus. Another summer associate is also showing symptoms of this virus These summer associates are under medical care and will be staying at home. As a precaution, we have instructed the summer associates who share an office with the affected summer associates to remain at home for the balance of the week. Other summer associates, and other lawyers and employees, who have concerns about their health or the situation are encouraged to consult with their supervisors and are also encouraged to consult with their physician.
… We are monitoring closely the news about swine flu and related advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)…
Please note the importance of staying home if you become ill with a fever or other serious flu-like symptoms… You should seek medical care and return to work when you receive medical clearance to do so.
Yikes.
Swine influenza refers to influenza caused by those strains of influenza virus, called swine influenza virus (SIV), that usually infect pigs. The current swine flu outbreak is due to a new strain of subtype H1N1 not previously reported in pigs.