The most threatening disease of the Year 2009 is
“Swine flu”
swine-flu-in-pigs
The Swine flu has been declared as pandemic disease by WHO(World Health Orgnanization). Multiple new cases of a new strain of Swine flu (Swine Influenza A, H1N1) have been reported in Mexico and in the United States. Multiple deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization, currently assessing the accuracy of the incoming reports.
Swine Flu in Pigs
How does swine flu spread among pigs?
Swine flu viruses are thought to be spread mostly through close contact among pigs and possibly from contaminated objects moving between infected and uninfected pigs. Herds with continuous swine flu infections and herds that are vaccinated against swine flu may have sporadic disease, or may show only mild or no symptoms of infection.
What are signs of swine flu in pigs?
Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed.
How common is swine flu among pigs?
H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in the United States and something that the industry deals with routinely. Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Studies have shown that the swine flu H1N1 is common throughout pig populations worldwide, with 25 percent of animals showing antibody evidence of infection. In the U.S. studies have shown that 30 percent of the pig population has antibody evidence of having had H1N1 infection. More specifically, 51 percent of pigs in the north-central U.S. have been shown to have antibody evidence of infection with swine H1N1. Human infections with swine flu H1N1 viruses are rare. There is currently no way to differentiate antibody produced in response to flu vaccination in pigs from antibody made in response to pig infections with swine H1N1 influenza.
While H1N1 swine viruses have been known to circulate among pig populations since at least 1930, H3N2 influenza viruses did not begin circulating among US pigs until 1998. The H3N2 viruses initially were introduced into the pig population from humans. The current swine flu H3N2 viruses are closely related to human H3N2 viruses.
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.
Swine Flu in Humans
Causes of Swine Flu
Spread of Swine Flu (transmission methods)
Like other normal illness and flu, the Swine Flu caused by H1N1 virus takes the usual transmisson mode.
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Kissing
- Touching infected objects
- Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands
Symptoms of Swine flu
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Lethargy
- Coughing
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Swine Flu
- A respiratory sample collected within the first five days of illness will be collected.
- The sample is sent to the CDC for laboratory analysis and confirmation.
At this time the CDC is recommending the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for treatment and/or prevention of Swine flu.
Prevention of Swine Flu
- Covering nose and mouth with a tissue upon coughing and sneezing followed by proper disposal of the tissue.
- Avoiding contact with ill persons.
- Avoiding the urge to touch nose, mouth and eyes in general.
- Staying home form work and/or school upon onset and for the duration of symptoms.
- Assuring adequate and thorough handwashing and use of alcohol based hand cleansers (in the absence of proper handwashing facilities).
- Providing tissues in common areas of homes, common and public areas.
- Encouraging pursuit of medical evaluation at earliest onset of symptoms.
- Use of masks to those who are exhibiting symptoms or who are ill.
- Maintenance of a 3 to 6 foot perimeter around a coughing patient.
Calm analysis coupled with accurate and proper public education is the key to identifying, treating and minimizing a worldwide outbreak.
Regards,
R.Gopinath
Source: CDC Swine Flu Information
