FanHouse Swine Flu

PHOENIX -- The Suns and the Sixers played a close preseason game in Phoenix on Friday night, and the same two teams will go at it again this Sunday in Monterrey, Mexico. The NBA last hosted a game in Monterrey in 1996, although that was obviously before Mexico was known as the birth place of the swine flu.

Teams are taking precautions stateside to prevent unnecessary exposure to the disease, so it's of course going to be even more of a hot topic as players venture out of the country. And in fact, the subject of swine flu was the first thing on the mind of Amar'e Stoudemire, when he was asked about the impending trip to Mexico after Friday night's game.

Miami Dolphins cornerbacks Sean Smith and Jason Allen have both been tested for swine flu, and will miss Saturday's game against Carolina, according to the Miami Herald.

The Herald earlier reported that, according to sources, at least two members of the Dolphins had been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.

Team spokesman Harvey Green dismissed that claim, telling the Herald that Smith and Allen are ill, but it is not yet known if swine flu is to blame.

File this under the worst week ever for U.S. soccer's all-time leading goal scorer Landon Donovan. As if losing to Mexico 2-1 on Wednesday wasn't bad enough, Thursday night Donovan told Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl that he tested positive for the H1N1 flu virus.

Donovan told Wahl that he felt ill before the U.S. team arrived in Mexico City for its CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Wednesday and most likely contracted the virus in the United States. Still, he soldiered through the sickness and played all 90 minutes in the altitude and heat of Azteca Stadium, sending the through ball that set up Charlie Davies ninth minute goal which gave the U.S. a brief 1-0 lead.

During the last swine flu outbreak in the United States, in 1976, the government tried to convince every American to get vaccinated. And in Wisconsin, that effort included showing the above public service announcement featuring two Green Bay Packers players.

Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin has been released from an Atlanta hospital where he was treated for dehydration, and doctors say he does not have the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Harvin began throwing up during a layover Thursday at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and was hospitalized. He was tested for the H1N1 virus as a precaution, but the test came back negative.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said Harvin was simply exhausted and dehydrated from too much travel.

On the heels of the first reported swine flu death in the United States, some high schools in Texas are canceling sporting events to keep their children safe.

The University Interscholastic League has canceled all sports until May 11, including regional track championships, baseball, softball, tennis and golf.