It’s only been about a week since authorities warned of a swine flu in Mexico, but the illness has already spread stateside. Now the United States government has declared a public health emergency after cases broke out in 20 states.

In an effort to contain the disease, border agents are now screening people with flu-like symptoms and urging people to prepare themselves. The public emergency also gives the government the ability to distribute 12 million flu vaccines, although the need does not yet seem likely. Still, the world is in a panic and a number of foreign governments, including the European Union, have warned citizens to avoid travel to the United States and Mexico, where the flu is responsible for more than 100 deaths, MSNBC reports.

Appearing at the National Academy of Sciences, President Barack Obama addressed the crisis this morning. Reminding us of the urgency, Obama insisted the government will work at full capacity to bring treatment, updates and other help to the American people. We’re capable at the moment, said the president, but our government and state must keep investing in sciences to allow research that can keep us safe in the future.

While the president worries about our scientific infrastructure, others worry about holes in the administration itself. As Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown points out, the nation still doesn’t have a Health and Human Services secretary, nor has the head of the FDA been installed. With regard to the former, Republicans are holding up the appointment of Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat whose past association with the pro-choice movement has ruffled right-wing feathers. 

Until those posts can be filled, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Homeland Security adviser John Brennan will be heading up the swine-flu-fighting team.