Posts Tagged ‘Outbreak’

The human cases of swine flu, which is spread by influenza virus A (H1N1), have been reported from Mexico and the US, where many people have fallen ill and even died from it. The health agencies are working closely and the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that some of the human cases are a never seen before version of this virus. There are several methods of preventing flu, although in the case of swine flu, people should resort to effective anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza for preventative reasons. What is Swine flu? Swine flu is a respiratory disease, which is caused by influenza type A virus (H1N1) that infects pigs. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to that of seasonal flu, although there have been several reported human deaths that are linked to swine flu. It is considered as new version of H1N1 strain, which caused the 1918 flu pandemic. How to treat Swine flu? There is no specific vaccine for controlling this type of flu, but some current drugs can prove helpful. Apart from anti-viral drugs, people can do a bit on their part. They should maintain a good personal hygiene such as washing hands, and covering their nose while sneezing. Doctors have recommended some anti-viral treatments like Tamiflu or Relenza, depending upon the suitability of a patient. These two drugs are commonly used for the treatment of influenza type A, and considering swine flu is a strain of influenza type A, it has been reported to treat it. . The US health authorities have discovered that not only can these drugs help in swine flu treatment, but can also help in preventing it spreading. These drugs ensure that the flu virus is not transmitted easily among people. Tamiflu is an oral prescription drug that is used for the treatment as well as prevention of flu. The main ingredient in it is oseltamivir phosphate, which can prevent the spread of flu virus in the body. It also helps to ease off the flu symptoms. Tamiflu is available in the strength of a 75 mg capsule. Similar to Tamiflu is another flu treatment known as Relenza, which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. It can help treat type A or B influenza, including swine flu. It comes in the form of a powder, which is inhaled at least two times in a day or as directed by the doctor. Both these anti-viral drugs can prove helpful in the treatment of swine flu. You can get them from any local pharmacy by showing a prescription from a doctor, or you can buy them over the internet from any authentic online source. What to do in order to stay safe during Swine flu? It is advisable for those people who come into contact with the swine virus and have flu like symptoms to seek proper medical advice. Most affected cases have been reported from Mexico, so it has been advised to cancel any travel trips in and out of that country for the time being. You should avoid contact with people who have a fever or a cough, or seem to be unwell due to the flu. If you have no choice but to be close to those already infected, it is advised that you use a mask to cover your nose and mouth to limit the risk of infection.

From Mexico to Florida and all the way across America to New York, swine flu has become a hot topic. As many as 75 students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens got sick on Thursday. More got sick on Friday. What health officials want to know is was it swine flu or something more benign. The hype is on for any large numbers of people getting sick as a pandemic could cause great disruption and thousands of deaths.   There are mounting fears about a deadly swine flu virus that is reported to have killed as many as 60 people in Mexico, one that health officials fear has already seeped into the United States. A pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that spreads through populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide. Mexican and U. S. health officials searched on Saturday for signs an outbreak of a new flu strain is spreading further, after it killed up to 68 people in Mexico and infected eight in the United States. As Mexico shut schools and museums and axed public events, global health officials stopped short of declaring a pandemic. But they warned more cases could come to light, making up a major outbreak, as the flu spreads between people and infected some individuals who had no contact with one another. How’s that work?  Mexico’s deadly swine flu could disrupt trade and travel between the United States and Mexico if it prompts restrictions on the movement of goods across the border or sparks fear in consumers. The potential impact is far from clear as experts race to learn more about the disease, which has claimed the lives of as many as 61 people. But shipping and travel industries are especially vigilant. “If you end up with a significant demand shift, you could end up with a very substantial effect on our products, whether it be government-imposed restrictions or alternatively if the consumers just decide to say ‘no’,” said Bob Young, chief economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation. Any decision to restrict food shipments due to flu would come from the U. S. Agriculture Department, which has the power to “shut down movement,” said Russell Laird, an executive director representing agricultural and food carriers at the American Trucking Associations. “So far, we haven’t heard anything, but if that call is made we’ll make sure to do our part,” he said. It could be major or just a blip on the radar screen so due diligence on every front is needful.

Im going to Mexico next Tuesday, April 28th, im wondering what the chance to close the borders, when I'm in Mexico?

In Mexico in April this year, a never-before heard strain of swine flu emerge, turning ill more than a thousand Mexicans and causing the death of 68. Swine flu has spread to other parts of the world such as the US and New Zealand when affected individuals (Mexicans or tourists to Mexico), traveled to those places. Swine flu has spread so far and wide that the World Health Organization fears it will bring about the next pandemic. This is not the first time the world is threatened by swine flu. Swine flu, which is also referred to as pigfluenza, hog flu, pig flu, or swine influenza, typically affects pigs only. In 1918, an H1N1 virus caused flu pandemic in humans. Scientists speculated that H1N1 was created either when human influenza virus crossed specie boundary and affected pigs, or the other way around. In 1930, a study confirmed that influenza virus caused the illnesses of pigs; the viral strain was identified as H1N1. Other past outbreaks in humans include the 1976 US outbreak (number of deaths: 5) and the 1988 Wisconsin outbreak (number of deaths: 1). 2009 Swine Flu Outbreak . The strain that caused the swine outbreak in 2009, on the other hand, is different from other types of swine flu viruses before. It infects humans only. Pigs show no sign of infection. As such, scientists are having a difficult time establishing the origins of this new disease. The 2009 swine flu outbreak is caused by a strain that combines a single strain of human flu virus, a single strain of avian or bird flu virus, and two strains of swine flu virus. Transmission Swine flu virus in pig is transmitted when uninfected animals touch the nose or dried mucus of the infected pig. Transmission of swine flu from pigs to humans occurs when a person touches an infected pig such as during animal transport or cleaning of pig pens. Swine flu is not acquired by eating pork. Transmission of swine flu from human to human occurs when airborne viruses (brought about by sneezing and coughing) are inhaled by another person. Touching of contaminated surfaces and bringing one’s hand to one’s nose or mouth. Symptoms Symptoms of swine flu in humans are non-specific. They are quite similar to other types of influenza such as common flu and bird flu. People infected with swine flu often the following: • fever • chills • coughing and sneezing • sore throat • muscle pain • discomfort • fatigue • vomiting • diarrhea In pigs, swine influenza virus cause: • fever • lethargy • decrease in appetite • abortion • sneezing • coughing • weight loss • poor growth • difficulty breathing. Because swine flu symptoms are non-specific, a laboratory taste of nose or throat swab is needed to confirm viral presence. How to Prevent Spread of Swine Flu Among swine: owners should implement facility management and management. Vaccinating the pigs may also help reduce the chances of spreading of the flu. To prevent transmission of swine flu from pigs to humans, farmers, veterinarians, and other people who come in close contact with live pigs should wear masks and gloves when working with infected pigs. To prevent spread of swine flu among humans, the following steps are recommended or used in some countries: • Persons with flu should be quarantined immediately • Sick people should sneeze on tissue paper, dispose the use properly, and wash their hands. • People who traveled to Mexico and who are family members of infected persons should be vaccinated with zanamivir or oseltamivir. • Avoiding contact with sick people and with live pigs • Many countries including Russia and France issued advise against traveling to Mexico. • Always wash hands properly. At the moment, only Tamiflu and Relenza seem to work against swine flu. Many countries have a supply of these vaccines, though not enough to curb a pandemic if the current swine flu reaches that level.