Officials activated a Unified Health Command in Billings Monday. It's a joint task force between Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare and Riverstone Health. It will keep everyone on the same page in the event that we have a medical emergency, but officials don't expect a major local health problem from the swine flu that first appeared in Mexico in March and has now claimed more than 100 lives.

Dr. David Graham with Billings Clinic said the virus has elements of pig, bird and human DNA.

"It's a new virus we haven't seen before," he said. "Our understanding is the bare bones minimum right now."

What they do know is that the strain of the swine flu seen here is the U.S. is much milder than the strain in Mexico.

"It seems even more mild than the seasonal flu," Dr. Graham said. "That could change overtime. We're just going to have to wait and see."

The virus is spreading quickly by contact between people, and with multiple flights every day going from Mexico to Denver then into Billings, it's not that big of a stretch to see the virus reaching the Magic City.

"Who knows where these people come from and if I'd made contact with it, "said Melody Krohn a Flight Attendant for Northwest Delta. "It's something to think about."

Dr. Graham said there are a few simple ways to avoid getting the virus. "The bottom line message is take care of yourself," he said. "Wash your hands, do all the things your mother taught you to do. Really staying healthy is the key."

The panel of doctors with Billings Unified Health Command said if you have flu-like symptoms stay home to avoid spreading the virus to anyone else. If symptoms haven't gone away within a few days then you should contact your doctor. They add that getting a flu shot will not help because this strain of the virus is resistant to the vaccine.