The current swine flu outbreak represents infection by a novel strain of influenza. It is composed of subtype H1N1 influenza A that typically affects humans and several subtypes of influenza that generally affect pigs and North American birds. Mexico health officials report that over 1000 people have been infected. 80 deaths have been reported, but only 20 of them had laboratory confirmation of the novel swine flu.
Cases reported in the US have been less serious. There have been no US deaths at this time. There have been only 19 confirmed cases, but about 202 suspected cases across five different states. Some of the infected people had visited Mexico. None had contact with pigs; therefore the infection can pass from person to person. Undoubtedly we will hear of more cases over the next months but hopefully very few deaths.
Several key points have raised international concern.
1. Just as in the 1918 influenza epidemic, mortality seems greater among young adults. The usual influenza that hits us each year is hardest on young children, the elderly, and people who have an immune compromised state.
2. Cases are being confirmed across a wide geographical span—Central Mexico to Mexico’s border with the US to Texas, California, Minnesota, New York, and Kansas.
3. A strain of animal influenza not seen before is causing illness in people and is transmitted person to person via respiratory route. This is actually an unusual situation—animal viruses tend to spread through contact with the animal and then stop there.
4. This influenza virus is resistant to a couple of the usual antiviral medications typically used for influenza.
Because of these facts, international health officials are gathering and doing some serious investigations. US scientists are working with the virus to develop a “seed strain” that can be used to make vaccine in case that is needed. And investigators are scrambling to determine if we’re facing a serious pandemic.
Here’s what we don’t know yet but are trying to find out: How infectious is this strain of swine flu? How easy is it for someone to catch from an infected person? How virulent is the strain? If you catch it, what’s the likelihood of serious complications or death for the average healthy adult? Who is most vulnerable? And what’s the best way to protect those most vulnerable people?
WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THIS INFORMATION?
Everything comes back to protecting your own health and that of your family. Things we do every day to prevent illness can help protect you from Swine Flu. Eat a balanced diet and get the rest you need. Wash your hands before eating and after touching things that could potentially have germs on them (ok, you don’t have to get OCD about it but use common sense when visiting, shopping, hanging out in groups of people). Don’t go among groups of people when you have an illness with a fever. Avoid hanging around people with fevers & coughs. COVER YOUR COUGH and WASH YOUR HANDS.
For more information & tips, check out the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
