Alarming facts:
current trivalent influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection| Country | Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory confirmed | Confirmed (Suspected)‡ | |
| WHO totals | 25,288 | 139 |
| Total | 25,597 | 150(77) |
| Mexico | 5,717 | 106 (77) |
| United States | 12,701 | 37 |
| Canada | 2,115 | 3 |
| Chile | 890 | 2 |
| Costa Rica | 83 | 1 |
| Dominican Republic | 66 | 1 |
| Australia | 1,207 | 0 |
| United Kingdom | 557 | 0 |
| Japan | 438 | 0 |
| Spain | 291 | 0 |
| Argentina | 215 | 0 |
| Panama | 179 | 0 |
| Other | 1,138 | 0 |
Black : Deaths
Red : Cases
What is Swine Flu or Pig Flu ??
Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) is an infection of a host animal by any one of several specific types of viruses that is usually hosted by (is endemic in) pigs.
As of 2009, the known SIV strains are the influenza C virus and the subtypes of the influenza A virus known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
Swine influenza is common in pigs in the midwestern United States (and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe (including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and other parts of eastern Asia.
Signs and symptoms in pigs ??
In pigs influenza infection produces fever, lethargy, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and decreased appetite, abortion, weight loss and poor growth.
Main symptoms of swine flu in swines
Signs and symptoms in humans ??
symptoms of the 2009 "swine flu" H1N1 virus are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general.
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.
The 2009 H1N1 virus is not transmitted from pigs to humans,
but from person to person.
but from person to person.
Main symptoms of swine flu in humans
swine flu requires laboratory testing of a respiratory sample
(a simple nose and throat swab)
collected during the first five days
(a simple nose and throat swab)
collected during the first five days
How to do prevent it's spread from swine to human ??
The transmission from swine to human is believed to occur mainly in swine farms where farmers are in close contact with live pigs.
The farmers and veterinarians are encouraged to use a face mask when dealing with infected animals.
Risk factors that may contribute to swine-to-human transmission include smoking and not wearing gloves when working with sick animals.
How to do prevent it's spread within humans ??
Influenza spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth. The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days.
Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food.
Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, for analysis.
Recommendations to prevent :
frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public. Chance of transmission is also reduced by disinfecting household surfaces, which can be done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach solution.
Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria. Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should contact a doctor for advice.
Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community.
How to do treat it in humans ??
antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
Beside antivirals, palliative care, at home or in hospital, focuses on controlling fevers and maintaining fluid balance.
Doctors recommend the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses,
However, the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs.
The virus isolates in the 2009 outbreak have been found resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.
No comments:
Post a Comment