SWINE FLU - PANDEMIC THREAT!

WHAT IS IT?
Swine flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease in pigs caused by one of the swine influenza A viruses. Outbreaks can occur in pigs throughout the year, but increase during autumn and winter. According to the WHO, occasional cases of swine flu in humans have been reported in the past, ranging from patients with no symptoms to those with severe pneumonia resulting in death.

IS IT A PANDEMIC?
Not yet. The Director-General of the WHO has raised the influenza pandemic alert level for this latest strain of swine flu from 3 to 4 out of a possible six stages. Level 4 is characterised by sustained human-to-human transmission able to cause “community-level outbreaks” and a significant increase in the risk for a pandemic. This means that we have an outbreak and a pandemic is possible but not necessarily inevitable.


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The symptoms are similar to those of normal flu and include fever, coughing, loss of appetite, fatigue, aching muscles and lethargy. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

HOW IS IT SPREAD?
According to the CDC swine flu is spread in people either from direct contact with infected pigs, or from contact with infected people in much the same way as other types of flu i.e. coughing and sneezing or touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth or nose. You can not get swine flu from eating pork or pork products.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
As with any strain of flu, these basic precautions for staying healthy are recommended:

▶ Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after using it.

▶ Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.

▶ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

▶ Avoid close contact with sick people

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE FLU

▶ Stay home from work or school and avoid travelling.

▶ If your symptoms persist consult your local GP, especially if you’ve recently come back from holiday or a business trip.