Spread the message of swine flu to everyone.Dr.Kedar Karki

A August 16, 2009 update by the U.N.'s World Health Organization(WHO) states that 135countries have officially reported 99103 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 476 deaths. In India till date129 cases are being confirmed in city like Hyderabad and New Delhi,Jallandhar in Punjab ,Pune,Bombay,Banglore,Lucknow and reported 25deaths. Government of India is now thinking about suspension of airflight to U.S.A as most of confirmed cases in India have been detectedfrom the persons who had recently traveled to U.S cities and hadreturned from there. The 2009 swine flu outbreak is a pandemic of anew strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 identified in April 2009. Itis thought to be a mutation—more specifically, a reassortment—of fourknown strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1: one endemic inhumans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine).Annual influenza epidemics are estimated to affect 5–15% of theglobal population, resulting in severe illness in 3–5 million patients andcausing 250,000–500,000 deaths worldwide. In industrializedcountries severe illness and deaths occur mainly in the high-riskpopulations of infants, the elderly and chronically ill patients. Inaddition to these annual epidemics, Influenza A virus strains causedthree major global pandemics during the 20th century: the Spanish fluin 1918, Asian flu in 1957 and Hong Kong flu in 1968–69. Thesepandemics were caused by strains of Influenza A virus that hadundergone major genetic changes and for which the population did notpossess significant immunity. The influenza virus has also causedseveral pandemic threats over the past century, including the pseudo-pandemic of 1947, the 1976 swine flu outbreak and the 1977 Russianflu, all caused by the H1N1 subtype. The world has been at anincreased level of alert since the SARS epidemic in Southeast Asia(caused by the SARS corona virus). The level of preparedness wasfurther increased and sustained with the advent of the H5N1 bird fluoutbreaks because of H5N1's high fatality rate, although the strainscurrently prevalent have limited human-to-human transmissioncapability, or epidemicity. The outbreak began in Mexico, where officialreports by Mexican authorities indicate that as of June 9, 2009 therewere 108 confirmed deaths due to the virus. The actual origin of theflu is still a mystery, and includes the possibility that it may havestarted in Eurasia but taken root in Mexico. On June 11 after anemergency meeting the WHO raised the alert level to phase 6indicating that a flu pandemic is under way. The WHO noted that thisalertness level indicates the global spread of the virus, not its severity.Most cases throughout the world have so far been mild relative to

 

seasonal flu. However, because it is recent, most people do not haveimmunity to the virus, and illness may eventually become more severeand widespread in different demographic and population groups. Thisnew H1N1 flu mainly spreads in humans in the same way that regularseasonal influenza spreads, which is through the air from coughs andsneezes or touching those infected. It cannot be transmitted fromeating properly cooked pork. As of May 24, 2009, nearly 90% of reported deaths had taken place in Mexico. This has led to speculationthat Mexico may have been in the midst of an unrecognized epidemicfor months prior to the current outbreak, thereby showing a fatalityrate that was much higher than it would have been if earlier cases hadbeen counted. According to the US Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, the fact that the flu's infection activity is now monitoredmore closely may also help explain why more flu cases than normalare being recorded in many countries. There is no vaccine available toprevent infection as of June 2009 although companies are developingone and estimates of availability range from three to six months. Thereis also concern that the virus could mutate over the coming months toa more dangerous flu outbreak later in the year, and a vaccineproduced now might be less effective in preventing its spread. Healthofficials in the U.S. have pointed out that the terrible experience" of the 1918 flu pandemic, which killed approximately 600,000 in theUnited States alone, was preceded by a mild herald wave of cases inthe spring. Proper Handling of Pig meat a Priority .Influenza viruses donot affect the safety of pork, according to the World HealthOrganization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of theUnited Nations (FAO). As with any raw meat, pork should always beproperly handled and cooked to eliminate a range of food safetyconcerns. By touching something contaminated with flu viruses andthen touching one's mouth or nose, and through coughing or sneezing.One of the most effective prevention measures is regular handwashing. People cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or porkproducts. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degreesFahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) kills the swine flu virus along withother bacteria and viruses. Vaccines are available to be given to pigs toprevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans fromswine flu, although the CDC is formulating one. The seasonal influenzavaccine may help to provide partial protection against swine H3N2, butnot against swine H1N1 viruses like the one circulating now. In 1976 anew strain of swine flu started infecting people and worried U.S. healthofficials started widespread vaccination. More than 40 million peoplewere vaccinated. But several cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, asevere and sometime fatal condition that can be linked to comevaccines, caused the U.S. government to stop the program. The

 

incident led to widespread distrust of vaccines in general. There is alsono risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cookedpork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash handsthoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seekmedical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-likeillness There are four influenza antiviral drugs approved for use in theUnited States (oseltamivir, zanamivir, Amantidine and rimantadine).The swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses that have been detected inhumans in the United States and Mexico are resistant to Amantidineand rimantadine so these drugs will not work against these swineinfluenza viruses. Laboratory testing on these swine influenza A(H1N1) viruses so far indicate that they are susceptible (sensitive) tooseltamivir and zanamivir . If you get sick, antiviral drugs can makeyour illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may alsoprevent serious influenza complications. Influenza antiviral drugs workbest when started soon after illness onset (within two 2 days), buttreatment with antiviral drugs should still be considered after 48 hoursof symptom onset, particularly for hospitalized patients or people athigh risk for influenza-related complications. CDC recommends the useof oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. Oseltamivir (brand nameTamiflu is approved to both treat and prevent influenza A and B virusinfection in people one year of age and older Zanamivir (brand nameRelenza is approved to treat influenza A and B virus infection inpeople 7 years and older and to prevent influenza A and B virusinfection in people 5 years and older. Cover your nose and mouth witha tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash afteryou use it. Washing your hands often with soap and water, especiallyafter you cough or sneeze. We can also use alcohol-based handcleaners. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spreadthis way. Trying to avoid close contact with sick people. Stay homefrom work or school if you are sick. Although in last fortnight there hasbeen reports from many part of our country about flu like illness butstill non of these illness neither suspected for this dreaded illness tilldate for us it seems to be some relief. But as the disease has beendetected in Delhi and city of Punjab our own public health authoritiesneed to be alerted at air and land embarkment site.