SWINE INFLUENZA

WHO raises pandemic flu alert level to phase 5  April 29, 2009 — GENEVA – The World Health Organization has raised its pandemic alert for swine flu to the second highest level, meaning that it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent. WHO says the phase 5 alert means there is sustained human to human spread in at least two countries. It also signals that efforts to produce a vaccine will be ramped up.

What is Swine Influenza? What is Swine Influenza? Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses? Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses? The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection against H1N1 swine flu viruses. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection against H1N1 swine flu viruses.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are as follows: The symptoms of swine flu in people are as follows: 1. Fever/Chills 2. Cough 3. Sore Throat 4. Body Aches/Headache 5. Fatigue 6. Vomiting/Diarrhea 7. Pneumonia/Respiratory Failure Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu ?

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:  Fast breathing or trouble breathing  Bluish skin color  Not drinking enough fluids  Not waking up or not interacting  Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held  Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough  Fever with a rash

How does swine flu spread? How does swine flu spread? Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products? Is it safe to eat pork and pork products? Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and cooked pork or other products derived from pigs. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperature of 160 deg F (70 deg C). Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and cooked pork or other products derived from pigs. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperature of 160 deg F (70 deg C).

How can someone with the flu infect someone else? How can someone with the flu infect someone else? Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed? How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed? To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to equipped laboratories for testing (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - RITM – in Alabang, Muntinlupa). To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to equipped laboratories for testing (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - RITM – in Alabang, Muntinlupa).

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. Take these everyday steps to protect your health: There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.  Wash your hands thoroughly, often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Try to avoid close contact with sick people.  If you get sick with influenza, you can stay home from work and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What should I do if I get sick?  If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.  If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In case of travel:  For Domestic: exercise personal hygienic measures and comply with airport/port quarantine regulations.  For International: In case of travel to affected areas (i.e. Mexico, USA such as California, Kansas, Ohio and New York, Canada such as Nova Scotia and British Columbia) person needs to exercise extreme caution if travel cannot be avoided.