Swine flu refers to the influenza caused by any strain of the flu virus that is endemic in pigs (swine). This flu is common in swine and rare in humans. Nevertheless, people with intense exposure to pigs are at risk of catching swine influenza, that is, if the swine carry a strain that has the potency to infect humans. Normally, these strains rarely pass from human to human. On the odd occasion, this virus undergoes mutations to form a new virus strain that is able to pass from human to another with relative ease. Therefore, it has been concluded that the strain that is responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak, has undergone such a mutation.
What is Swine Influenza?
Swine influenza virus, endemic to pig populations, is said to be caused by the Orthomyxo viruses. Strains of the swine flu virus, isolated to date, have been classified as a subtype of the genus influenza virus A.
The new strain is an obvious reassortment of several strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, which include a strain that is endemic in humans and two strains that are endemic in pigs, as well as an avian influenza virus.
Reassortment is common feature in influenza viruses; this is because of the structure of their genome. However, this particular reassortment is consistent with its ability to transmit the mutated virus from pigs to humans.
In the current scenario, the outbreak of this disease has been termed as the "public health emergency of international concern," by the World Health Organization. Moreover, most concerned officials lack any knowledge with regard to its clinical features, epidemiology, and virology as well as the appropriate responses needed as a result. All the concerned government health agencies around the world are monitoring the situation closely.
Swine flu is spread amongst humans on contact. The spread of the 2009 swine flu outbreak owes its existence to a new strain of H1N1 influenza virus, which was first detected in March 2009 by public health officials. There are serious concerns expressed about this novel strain because it has had a relatively high mortality rate in Mexico, and now has the potential to become a full fledged flu pandemic.
How is swine flu prevented?
Recommendations to prevent infection by the virus consist of the standard personal precautions against influenza. This includes: - Frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching the mouth, nose or eyes with the hands unless they have been washed first
- Cough into a tissue and throw it in the garbage immediately or if bare hands are used to cover the nose and mouth then the hands must be washed immediately.
Many countries have also confirmed that all the inbound international passengers will be screened. They will ask each passenger which countries they have visited as well as feel or look for particularly unwell passengers.
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