INTRODUCTION:
The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza virus, officially named the "new H1N1", first identified in April 2009, and commonly called "Swine flu." It is thought to be a mutation of four known strains of the influenza A virus, subtype H1N1: one endemic in (normally infecting) humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine).
Experts assume the virus "most likely" emerged from pigs in Asia, and was carried to North America by infected persons.Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human, with cooked pork products safe to eat as the virus cannot be transmitted by eating foods.
The outbreak began in Mexico, with evidence that Mexico was already in the midst of an epidemic for months before the outbreak was recognized. Soon after, its government closed down most of Mexico City's public and private offices and facilities to help contain the spread. In early June, as the virus spread globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be a pandemic, but also noted that most illnesses were of "moderate severity."
The outbreak began in Mexico, with evidence that Mexico was already in the midst of an epidemic for months before the outbreak was recognized. Soon after, its government closed down most of Mexico City's public and private offices and facilities to help contain the spread. In early June, as the virus spread globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be a pandemic, but also noted that most illnesses were of "moderate severity."
The virus has since spread to the Southern Hemisphere which entered its winter flu season, and to many less developed countries with limited healthcare systems. Because the virus was spreading with "unprecedented speed", and many clinics were overwhelmed testing and treating patients, WHO stopped requiring countries to report all cases, but is still monitoring unusually large outbreaks
The virus typically spreads from coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth. Symptoms, which can last up to a week, are similar to those of seasonal flu, and may include fever, sneezes, sore throat, coughs, headache, and muscle or joint pains. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that most cases worldwide have been mild so far and most hospitalizations and deaths have been of persons that also had underlying conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or a weakened immune system. Then again, Dr Anne Schuchat from CDC thinks, "this is a virus that's capable of causing a spectrum of illness that includes severe complications and death".
"It's very important we take this virus seriously".As the virus spreads easily between people, through the air or surface contact, those who get the flu are recommended to stay home from school or work and avoid crowds to avoid spreading the infection further.
In an attempt to slow the spread of the illness, a number of countries, especially in Asia, have quarantined airline passengers with flu symptoms, while some are also pre-screening passengers. WHO does not expect to have a full vaccine before the end of 2009, and vaccines available sooner may be limited and given first to healthcare workers, pregnant women, and other higher risk groups. Two or three injections will be required for maximum immunity from both the swine flu and seasonal flu. There is also concern if the new virus mutates further, it could become more virulent and less susceptible to any new vaccine.
SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it’s possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza.
People at higher risk of serious complications from seasonal flu include people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV).
le, including avoiding travel and not going to work or school, for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.) If you leave the house to seek medical care, wear a facemask, if available and tolerable, and cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
In general, you should avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness, especially people at increased risk of severe illness from influenza. With seasonal flu, people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. People infected with the novel H1N1 are likely to have similar patterns of infectiousness as with seasonal flu.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
#Fast breathing or trouble breathing
#Bluish or gray skin color
#Not drinking enough fluids
#Severe or persistent vomiting
#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
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
#Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
#Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
#Sudden dizziness
#Confusion
#Severe or persistent vomiting
#Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
#Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
#Sudden dizziness
#Confusion
#Severe or persistent vomiting
#Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
IN INDIA:(swine flu)
The number of people to die of swine flu in India has risen to 10 with the death of three more patients on Tuesday, federal health officials say.
Two girls, aged seven and 13 years, and a 62-year-old woman died in Baroda, Pune and Mumbai cities respectively.
Officials say there are more than 800 cases of the H1N1 flu strain in India.
The virus is thought to have killed almost 800 people around the world.
"The number of swine flu cases are rising. We have to work a little harder," federal health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters.
Doctors in a hospital Pune say that six patients of the flu are in a critical condition.
Among the people who died of the flu this week are a 53-year-old doctor of indigenous medicine and a four-year-old boy in the southern Chennai city.
Over the weekend, three people died of the flu in western India - a 43-year-old businessman who was visiting Ahmedabad city in Gujarat state; a 42-year-old teacher in Pune city; and a 53-year-old woman in Mumbai city.
Last Monday, a 14-year-old girl became the first person in the country to die of swine flu.
Rising concerns:
Health officials say that the country has enough stocks of the anti-flu drug, Tamiflu.
However, panic is growing among the people with swine flu deaths making it to the front pages of newspapers and main TV news.
Several schools in western India and the capital, Delhi, have closed temporarily as fears grow about children contracting the flu.
In Delhi, where some 228 cases have been confirmed, health officials say that people are panicking "because the symptoms of swine flu and common influenza are similar".
As the number of flu deaths rise in the country, health officials have asked people not to panic.
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has asked the health ministry to step up preparedness against the disease and coordinate with state governments to help stop the disease from spreading.
"All state governments have been asked to set up their own swine flu helplines, create more quarantine wards not only in their hospitals but also in the big private hospitals," federal Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said.
The BBC's Soutik Biswas in Delhi says though the number of swine flu deaths in India is still low, there are concerns over the ability of the badly-run and under-equipped government hospitals to handle the rising tide of patients.
Also, the 12 swine flu testing centres in India will not be sufficient if the number of cases rise sharply, our correspondent says.
"We need to work out a public-private partnership between the hospitals to tackle the flu. We need to take the people, doctors and media into confidence so panic does not spread," junior Health Minister Dinesh Trivedi told the BBC.
Last week, the World Health Organisation announced that the first swine flu vaccines were likely to be licensed for use in the general population in September.
The swine flu (H1N1) virus first emerged in Mexico in April and has since spread to 74 countries
