1. Adapted to a powerpoint presentation for elementary level from http://www.amnh.org

2. I'm Louise -most people call me Lou- and I live in Kansas. I feel pretty rotten now. I have a sore throat, a cough, and achy muscles. Doctor Petrie says I caught the flu -that's short for influenza. My friends Sue, Hugh, and Stu also caught it. I hear it's going around (and not just to people whose names rhyme!) My dad's giving me lots of stuff to drink and making sure I sleep a lot. I ask Doctor Petrie, "Where does the flu come from?” She says, "Many scientists think the flu comes from ducks in China." HOW CAN A VIRUS TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD??? How Lou gets the flu...

3. In China, there is a duck that carries a flu virus in its body. The duck is never lonely because over a billion ducks live in China. About a billion people live there, too. How Lou gets the flu...

4. People can't become infected with duck viruses, so how does this flu spread to people? PIGS! Min Peng, a farmer in China, raises pigs. When the duck flies over Min Peng's farm and poops on the ground, a pig sniffs the duck virus into his body. How Lou gets the flu...

5. The pig spreads the virus to many of the other pigs on the farm. One day, one of the baby pigs touches Min Peng's face, and --you guessed it!-- Min Peng catches the flu virus. How Lou gets the flu...

6. He is sick for a few days… Later, Min Peng goes to the market. Mei-li Yuan buys some red bean ice cream from him. When Min Peng is giving her change, he accidentally sneezes on the money. "I'm so sorry," says Min Peng, "I'm just getting over the flu.” "I hope you feel better soon," says Mei-li Yuan, and takes a bite of the ice cream. How Lou gets the flu...

7. The next night, Mei-li Yuan is studying for an exam with her friend Maria, who is from the United States. While they are studying, Mei-li Yuan and Maria get thirsty. Since there is only one soda, they share it… How Lou gets the flu...

8. The next week, Maria flies home to visit her family. Guess what? They live on our street. Maria comes over to visit and to show us pictures of China. She still has some sniffles from the flu but is feeling better. My dad makes his famous pepper steak, but he uses too much pepper and when he serves Maria… She sneezes right next to me!... And that’s how I get the flu from a duck in China!

9. Let’s FIGHT the flu! If you sneeze.. BIN it... Don’t forget... Try not to spread the germ! and then... KILL it!!! Please, wash your hands at least for how long as you sing... CATC H it...