Purdue expert: Swine flu vaccine will take months to create WEST LAFAYETTE, IN (wbaa) - A Purdue virologist says air travel has made it possible for the swine flu virus to spread globally in a matter of hours.

But Dr. David Sanders says the United States is much better prepared than in 1976, when the last swine flu threat hit the country.

He explains genetically, the new strain is a combination of swine, avian and human viruses with the pig acting as the petri dish.

Sanders says creation of a vaccine against swine flu begins by taking a sample of the virus and growing it in a chicken egg, which takes several weeks to months.

The United States declared a public health emergency Sunday to help deal with the swine flu outbreak.

The declaration allows easier access to flu testing and medication for state governments. © Copyright 2012, wbaa