Beginning in a small town in Mexico, an influenza-like virus produced by genetic reassortment - or a combination - of swine, avian and human influenza viruses, has shaken the world and prompted governments to walk a fine line so as not to stir public hysteria.

Unlike the more deadly avian flu, this milder flu strain spreads easily from person to person. It has so far spread from its epicenter in Mexico to many other countries such as neighboring US and Canada, Spain, Germany, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Experts say the virus is not transmitted by eating pork, although some countries like Egypt have started slaughtering their pigs. Although there is no swine flu yet in Indonesia, the government has imposed precautionary temperature checks at airports and stepped up checks at swine barns. (Text by Mariani Dewi)