The outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the US has raised fears of a pandemic. Here we answer your questions about the disease, the risks, what action is being taken and what might happen if the disease comes to Britain.
Below are the responses of Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor, to questions sent by readers: The virus responsible for the current outbreak is a variation of the H1N1 influenza strain and is a hybrid of avian, human and swine flu.
The disease, which can be passed between people through coughs and sneezes in the same ways as seasonal flu, was first identified in Mexico last week and has spread rapidly into the US and now Europe.
Passengers arriving from infected countries are being monitored at airports and the Government is recommending people continue to follow good hygene practices such as covering their mouth when they sneeze and washing their hands regularly.
Current vaccines are ineffective against it although it can be treated by antiviral drugs. Britain has assembled large stocks of these drugs following fears of a pandemic caused by a bird flu virus but poorer countries are less well prepared.
The risk of contracting swine flu from travel is still small, says Dr Richard Dawood. (Dr Richard Dawood is a specialist in travel medicine at the Fleet Street Travel Clinic, London.)
What every traveller wants to know is: am I increasing my risk of exposure to swine flu by travelling abroad or should I play it safe and stay at home?
As the alert level for a pandemic rises, one control measure has been strikingly absent – neither national governments nor the World Health Organisation (WHO) have attempted to bring international travel – even to Mexico – to a halt.
The reason is that such a ban would make almost no practical difference. For example, a 90 per cent ban on global travel, introduced at the earliest sign of trouble, would have delayed the arrival of people infected with swine flu into Britain by a week and a half. A 99 per cent ban – difficult to impose – would have delayed the arrival of such people by just three weeks.
Does that tell us that travel is safe? No, but the current risk of contracting flu from travel is still small. Leaving aside Mexico, is it safe to visit other countries with reported cases? How can we compare the risk of visiting a country with good surveillance systems in place, which has revealed and confirmed a number of imported cases, with the risk of travelling to a country with no reports of any problems but, perhaps, no reporting systems either? Is it safer to stay at home?
The greatest risks may come from the journey itself: a coughing cab driver, crowded airports, a febrile passenger in the next seat… The experience of Sars in 2003, and our subsequent efforts to understand and prepare for H5N1 bird flu, will be invaluable, but until we know much more about the new viral strain – how quickly and easily it spreads, and whether the illness is really as mild as we now believe – these will be the hardest risks to understand.
Prepare for a new etiquette – socially, in the workplace, and certainly in the aircraft cabin. "Social distancing" and self-isolation will be the new order of the day, and anyone with flu symptoms should opt to stay at home. We shall have to take much more care with hand washing, hygiene, blowing noses in public, shaking hands, and kissing our acquaintances and friends on the cheek. More people will be using face masks.
For those of a nervous disposition it won't be much fun to travel in this climate of anxiety, suspicion and alarm. But at least choosing whether to travel is still a matter for the individual. I'm heading for a conference in Istanbul next week and will not be changing my travel plans.
Washington - A 23-month-old baby became the first Texas swine flu death victim. It is confirmed outside Mexico as authorities worldwide fight to contain a growing threat to global health, Officials states the death was in Houston.
"Although we are expecting that this is really, really bad," Dr. Richard Besser, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday the death of children. "As a pediatrician and a parent, my heart goes out to the family."
President Barack Obama said today that Americans should know that the government is doing all it can contain viruses. Obama also says schools should consider whether the closing spread of the virus of swine influenza WORSENS.
Canada, Austria, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Britain and Germany have also reported cases of swine flu illness. Deaths reported so far have been limited to Mexico, and now the U.S.
While the United States grappled with the expanding health crisis, Besser went from network to network Wednesday morning to provide an update of what makes Obama administration. He said authorities are still in essence "trying to learn more about them strain of flu." His appearances as Germany reported its first cases of influenza infection in pigs, with three victims.
"It is very important for people to take their concern and channel it into action," Besser said, adding that "it is important that people understand what to do if symptoms appear.
"I think it (death reported in Texas) shows that any change in the stretch," he said. "We see the flu virus each spectrum symptoms of disease."
Asked why the problem appears more serious in Mexico, Besser said U.S. officials "have a team on earth, a tri-national team in Mexico, working in Canada and Mexico, to try and understand the difference, because they can help us plan our audit and implement strategies. "
Sixty-six infections were reported in the United States before the report of the infant death in Texas.
The world is no vaccine to prevent infection, but health officials of the U.S. with an important element for a ready in early May, stride vaccine producer is waiting. But even the World Health Organization vaccine supplies ordered an emergency - and that decision is not finished yet - it will take at least two months to make more of the shots needed for the safety of people in the first trial .
"We are working together at 100 miles per hour to get materials that will be useful," Dr. Jesse Goodman, who oversees the Food and Drug Administration to work with swine flu, told The Associated Press.
The U.S. is sending countries not only sufficient for the anti-flu drugs for 11 million people, but also masks, hospital supplies and flu test kits. Barack Obama President asked Congress for $ 1.5 billion in emergency funds to help generate more drug stockpiles and monitor future cases, as well as to assist international efforts to avert a full-pag revolt.
"This is a very serious, but it is still too early to say this is inevitable," the WHO influenza chief is, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, said in a telephone interview.
Cuba and Argentina stop flight to Mexico, where the swine flu was suspected of killing more than 150 people and sickening during 2000. The less good news, Mexico's Health Secretary Jose Cordova, called late Tuesday the death toll was "more or less stable."
Mexico City, one of the largest cities in the world, drastic steps to block virus' spread, starting with closing schools and on Tuesday to expand palaestra closures and swimming pool and restaurants said that limited the takeout service. People who often wear masks from the jobbery the expectations of protection.
The swine flu confirmed cases in the United States rose to 66 in six states, with 45 in New York, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Indiana and Ohio, but the cities and states suspected of others. New York, city health commissioner said that "the hundreds" schoolchildren were included in a school where students are confirmed several cases.
WHO argues against closing the borders to stem the spread, and the U.S. - even coming Travelers for checking that patients may need care - admits it is too late for such tactics.
"-Sign of the border as a means of containment is a matter that was discussed was our assumption must be planning a revolt by a new strain of influenza occurring overseas. We have plans to try to swoop in and knockout, or close the mouth event an outbreak is occurring far from our borders. It will not happen here, "Besser said telephone briefing Nevada-based health providers and journalists. "The idea of trying to limit the spread in Mexico is not at all likely or possible."
"Border controls are not working. Travel restrictions do not work," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl in Geneva said, recalling the outbreak of SARS at the beginning of the decade, which killed 774 people, mainly in Asia, and slowing global economy.
Authorities sought to hold in the context of crisis: flu deaths are common worldwide. U.S. alone, the CDC says about 36,000 people a year die from causes related to influenza. Still, the CDC calls a combination of new strain pork, fowl and people with the virus that person may have limited natural freedom.
Thus the need for a vaccine. Using flu samples taken from people who fell ill in Mexico and the U.S., scientists are engineering a strain that can cause immune system without causing disease. The hope is to get the parts - called "reference strain" vaccine in the jargon - the producer of the second week of May, so they can begin the laborious production of their work , said Dr. Ruben Donis of the CDC, which is leading this effort.
Vaccine manufacturers are only beginning to develop next regular winter flu vaccine, which protects against three human influenza strains. WHO these to stay on course for now - is not calling for a mass production of swine flu vaccine if the outbreak WORSENS globally. But sometimes the new flu strains that pop up briefly at the end of a flu season and lost only to appear again next fall, and ultimately should have a vaccine in time for next winter by the flu season, Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institutes of Health in infectious disease chief, said Tuesday.
A new strain of swine influenza or swine flu outbreak killed over 100 people in Mexico. Mexico shut down schools, museums, libraries and state-run theaters across its overcrowded capital Friday in hopes of containing a swine flu outbreak. Check out the video below:
So far, cases in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. suggest person-person transmission of new swine flu viruses occur.
What is swine flu? Swine influenza (swine flu) is caused by an influenza virus type flu and pigs. Cause regular outbreaks of swine flu influenza viruses in pigs, but death is rare. The virus can be spread to pigs throughout the year, but outbreaks occur later in autumn and winter months similar outbreaks in people. The classical swine flu virus (a type of influenza A virus H1N1) was the first of several pig in 1930.
Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but the swine flu virus flu virus does not like people. Swine flu is not often infecting humans, and the rare cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current outbreak of swine flu is different. This is caused by a new swine flu viruses are spread by people - and this happens to people who have no contact with pigs.
Like all flu viruses, swine influenza viruses constantly change. Pigs can be infected by avian, human and swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the virus re-assort and May to appear before a mix of pig, human and / or avian influenza virus. Over the years, different variations of swine influenza viruses have emerged. Currently, there are four types of influenza virus subtypes that couple of pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1. However, some more recent influenza viruses from pigs are H1N1 viruses.
Swine influenza viruses do not usually infect humans. However, the occasional human infections with swine flu have occurred. More generally, these cases occur in people with direct exposure to pigs, such as children near the pigs in a right or workers in the swine industry.
As documented case of a person spread of swine flu to others. In 1988, an outbreak of swine flu infection in pigs in visible Wisconsin resulted in more people infected, and though no explosion resulted in the community, had antibody evidence of virus transmission from patients to healthcare workers in contact closely with patients. Note: swine influenza virus is not transmitted through food. You can not get influenza from pigs eat pork or pork products
Symptoms of swine flu
Symptoms of swine flu was as regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting related to swine influenza. The symptoms can also cause many other conditions, and that means you and your doctor may not know, just based on your symptoms, if you got a pig flu. It takes a lab test to tell if it is swine flu or some other conditions.
The symptoms are expected to be similar to flu symptoms of seasonal and regular people include fever, weakness, indisposition and coughing. Some influential people in pigs have also reported a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Although uncomplicated influenza-like illness (fever, cough or sore throat) were reported in many cases, the mild respiratory disease (nasal congestion, rhinorhea) fever, with severe disease and is also reported rare. Other symptoms of swine flu reported include vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, headache, chills, fatigue, and dyspnea. Inflammation is a rare, but has been reported. Severe illness (pneumonia, respiratory failure) and the fatal outcome were reported in the swine flu. The potential for gravity to quiddity of chronic medical conditions or invasive bacterial infection in swine influenza should be considered.
People with swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be considered potentially infectious for up to 7 days after the start of the disease. People constantly sick until 7 days after illness early should be considered potentially infectious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially young children, may be potentially infectious for longer period. Duration of infectiousness may vary from swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. Not degenerate at a hospital confirmed or suspected cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is recommended to stay at home (voluntary separation) for at least 7 days after the first attack with the exception of illness require medical care.
Below is a video interview of a Texas family who contracted Swine flu but are recovering without difficulty.
How can we get swine flu?
A new swine flu virus to spread like regular flu. You can get the germs directly from an infected person or objects through an object they touched recently, and then touching your eyes, mouth or nose, in sending them to your germs infection. This is why you should make a habit of washing hands, if you are innocent. Infection the person can start the spread of flu germs until one day before symptoms start and up to seven days after getting sick.
Influenza virus can be transmitted directly from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with swine influenza viruses are most likely to occur when people are in the vicinity of the infected pigs, as pigs in Barnes and livestock exhibits in trade fairs. Swine flu virus could become the air if you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth, sending germs into the air.
Person-to-person transmission of swine influenza may occur. It is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu happens in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza virus infections. People can become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their nose or mouth.
Medication
If you have flu symptoms, stay home, and when they cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. To help prevent the spread of flu.
Four antiviral drugs are licensed for use in the United States: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While the majority of swine influenza virus is sensitive to all four drugs, the most recent seven swine influenza virus in some people resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. Currently, oseltamivir or zanamivir for treatment and / or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses are recommended.
If you have received flu symptoms and you recently in an area with high risk such as Mexico, it is recommended to see your doctor. If you have flu symptoms, but have not been in high-risk areas of May, you can still see a doctor – that’s your call. Keep in mind that your doctor can determine if swine flu, but it will take a sample from you and send it to a state health department laboratory for testing to see if it is swine flu. If your doctor suspects swine flu, he was able to write you a prescription for Tamiflu or Relenza. The medication may not be needed; U.S. swine flu patients have made a full recovery without it.
New swine flu viruses are sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza; drug is more effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. But not all drugs; most people in the first U.S. laboratory to confirm the swine flu recover without treatment.
Prevention
Wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Avoid close contact to sick people, and avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
Keep informed of what's happening in your community. Your local health department to have important information about the swine flu develops in your area. For example, parents may wish to consider what they would do if their child at the school closed due to flu.
In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.
