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Definition of the Disease:
It is a respiratory disease endemic in pigs; it is caused by the type A of influenza family which triggers the outbreak of influenza among pigs. The Swine influenza virus (SIV) is instrumental in widely spreading the disease among pigs but swine influenza-related death is few. Swine influenza viruses afflicting pigs all year round could trigger outbreaks during autumn and winter time just as the seasonal influenza causes among humans. Swine influenza virus is the H1N1and the virus was isolated in 1930. How many viruses does the swine influenza include?
Swine influenza viruses continuously change just like the rest of the influenza viruses. In addition to this, the pigs could get injured with the bird flu and human flu viruses, as well as the swine influenza viruses. When the other types of the influenza viruses afflict the pigs, they help the genes revolve and new viruses emerge. Four basic types of the swine influenza viruses were isolated; they are "H1N, H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2. Most of the viruses isolated in the present time are of H1N1 type. How is swine influenza transmitted to the humans?
Usually, humans can pick up swine influenza when directly exposing to the pigs, while raising pigs or living nearby the sheds where the pigs are raised. How does the swine influenza spread among humans?In the last years, the US-based CDC Center received a report on the swine influenza incidence rate among humans. The report reveals that there is a swine-influenza-infected case in every year or two years in the United States of America. But since December, 2005 and until February, 2009, the U.S. registers twelve swine influenza-infected cases. Human-related swine influenza symptoms:
The swine influenza symptoms in humans are akin to the seasonal influenza symptoms. They are fever, weakness, lack of appetite, and coughing. Some swine influenza-infected person reported suffering from runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sore throat. Is it possible that the virus can be transmitted through eating pig meat? Infection cannot be transmitted through eating the pig meat or its products. The swine flu influenza is killed at 71 degrees Celsius just as the case is with the other viruses and bacteria. Can the swine flu transmit from one person to another?
The virus can be transmitted from a person to another, and it is thought that transmitting among humans takes place in the same way the seasonal flu does. This is through touching swine flu-infected place then touching the mouth or nose or through soughing and sneezing. How is the disease diagnosed?
The disease should be diagnosed within 3-4 days. This is through taking a sample of the phlegm to be examined. And sometimes the disease incubation period of the children is almost ten days longer and this requires sending the sample to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to be checked. Does the swine flu virus have treatment or available drugs?
There are four anti-viral drugs authorized to be used in the U.S. for treatment. They are Rimantadine, Oseltamivi, and Zanaivir – Amantadine. On the other hand, there are four viruses resisting for some drugs: Rimantadine and Amantadine. At the same time, the CDC recommended using Zanaivir and Oseltamivir for treating or preventing the infection with the swine flu viruses. Is there a vaccine for the swine flu?
The vaccines are available to be given to the pigs in order not to get afflicted with the swine flu. But there are no vaccines protecting the human against getting infected with swine flu. The seasonal flu vaccine could help provide partial protection against H3N2 bit not against H1N1 virus. How can infection be averted?
Epidemiological requirements for the world flu epidemic outbreak:
Following up the situation, since 1997, we find that the first and second factors materialized four times in Hong Kong (H5N1) in 1997 and 2003, Holland (H7N7) in 2003, Vietnam and Thailand (H5N1) 2004. The H5N1 outbreak distinguished with the severity of the disease and high death rates. In addition to this, it has never occurred before that some bird flu virus with the ability to infect humans spread at wide-scale in a number of states. The above-mentioned demonstrates the real risks of the emergence of a world flu epidemic and affirms that the world is under real threat that could last for years. But this creates the appropriate opportunity for the early preparation and anticipation which is instrumental in diminishing the negative impacts for the expected epidemic. Preparation plan phases of fighting the flu epidemic
World epidemic phases for the flu pandemic:
As far as family members are concerned: Washing hands with water and soap.
As far as society is concerned:
Travelling overseas:
According to the international health regulations: the decision of banning or permitting the international travelling is left for the WHO.
Antiviral Drugs and other Medications:
Vaccine:
Sustainability of providing the health services:
2. Monitoring the epidemiological flu status in the affected states:
3. Necessary procedures for lessening the disease spread regarding those travelling overseas:
4. Continuing providing the health services in the affected states:
5. Communicating with all the states:
Regular communication by specific mechanisms:
The affected states:
Procedures at the individual and family level:
Procedures at the society levels:
International travelling procedures:
Pharmaceutical procedures:
The non-affected states:
4. Keeping the health services on:
Non-affected states:
Preparing for moving to the pandemic consequences
5. Communication:
Past epidemic peak period:
2. Monitoring the epidemiological flu status:
3. Procedures necessary for reducing the disease spread:
Past-epidemic period:
Human Influenza Vaccination:
A human vaccine is available for protection against the seasonal flu. This vaccine is annually renewed by the World Health Organization for the three widely-spread types of influenza. In case a new pandemic occurred and the WHO decided to develop a new vaccine, necessary precautions should be taken to curb the spread of the pandemic till the new vaccine is developed in two or three months.
Using Medicine for Protection and Treatment of Influenza:
There are 4 types of anti-influenza vaccines (Zanamivir, Amantidine, Rimantidine and Oseltamivir). Their usage is varied according to the sensitivity of the virus to the drug as instructed by the World Health Organization and the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has provided two drugs (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) for use by the confirmed cases and their contacts.
6. Health Awareness:
7. Precautions recommended for travelers to stricken places:
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