Swine Flu Outbreak

SWINE FLU OUTBREAK 2009 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

SWINE FLU 2009 2009 swine flu outbreak is the epidemic spread of a new strain of influenza virus that was clinically identified in April 2009 The new virus strain is a type of influenza A (H1N1) virus, commonly called the swine flu. The outbreak has also been called the H1N1 influenza, 2009 H1N1 flu, Mexican flu, or swine-origin influenza. Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

WHO alerts it as Phase 5 WHO to change its pandemic alert phase to "Phase 5", which is defined as "...humanto-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region

Qualifies as Phase 5 By April 28, the new strain was confirmed to have spread to Spain, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Israel, and the virus was suspected in many other nations, with a total of over 4,400 candidate cases, prompting the WHO to change its pandemic alert phase to "Phase 5" Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Early cases - Mexico Although the exact time and location of the outbreak is unknown, it is believed to have been first detected when an influenza-like illness was reported by both health agencies and local news media in Mexico Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

A New Strain of Influenzae Virus The virus responsible was clinically identified as a new strain on April 24, 2009

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A serious Concern to Health Authorities In late April officials from both World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC expressed serious concern about the situation, stating that the virus had the potential to become a flu pandemic.

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Virologists Optimistic By late April, however, some virologists believed that this strain was unlikely to cause as many fatalities as earlier pandemics, and may not even be as damaging as a typical flu season.

New virus is a Reassortment The new strain is an apparent reassortment of four strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 Analysis at the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the four component strains as one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). One swine strain was widespread in the United States, the other in Euras

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Why Called as Swine Flu Although called swine flu due to it predominantly containing swine strains, the World Organisation for Animal Health have proposed the name North American influenza. Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Flu in Pigs Identified By May 2, some pigs in Canada were diagnosed with H1N1. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) indicates that it has found H1N1 flu virus in a swine herd in Alberta. Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Proper Handling of Pig meat a Priority Influenza viruses do not affect the safety of pork, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). As with any raw meat, pork should always be properly handled and cooked to eliminate a range of food safety concerns.

New Virus a New combination The CDC determined that the strain contained genes from four different flu viruses – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe – "an unusually mongrelised mix of genetic sequences.

The pig strains carry several other genes But the North American pig strain was itself the product of previous reassortments, and has carried an avian PB2 gene for at least ten years and a human PB1 gene since 1993. These genes were passed on to the new virus.

Pigs a Mixing vessel Pigs can catch human and avian or bird flu. When flu viruses from different species infect pigs, they can mix inside the pig and new, mixed viruses can emerge. Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Pigs infect Humans Pigs can pass mutated viruses back to humans, and these can be passed from human to human. Transmission among humans is thought to occur in the same way as with seasonal flu. Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Case Definitions for Infection with Swine-origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus (S-OIV) A confirmed case of SOIV infection is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed S-OIV infection at CDC by one or more of the following tests. Real-time RT-PCR Viral culture

A probable case of S-OIV A probable case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness who is positive for influenza A, but negative for H1 and H3 by influenza RTPC PCR Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

A suspected case of S-OIV suspected case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with acute febrile respiratory illness with onset Within 7 days of close contact with a person who is a confirmed case of S-OIV infection, or Within 7 days of travel to community either within the United States or internationally where there are one or more confirmed cases of S-OIV infection, or Resides in a community where there are one or more confirmed cases of S-OIV infection. Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Simple Measures Help By touching something contaminated with flu viruses and then touching one's mouth or nose, and through coughing or sneezing. One of the most effective prevention measures is regular hand washing.

Eating Pork Safe? People cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) kills the swine flu virus along with other bacteria and viruses Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Yet no fully protective Vaccine Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu, although the CDC is formulating one. The seasonal influenza vaccine may help to provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not against swine H1N1 viruses like the one circulating now.

Past Vaccines proved not safe In 1976 a new strain of swine flu started infecting people and worried U.S. health officials started widespread vaccination. More than 40 million people were vaccinated. But several cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a severe and sometime fatal condition that can be linked to come vaccines, caused the U.S. government to stop the program. The incident led to widespread distrust of vaccines in general Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Prevention is best option Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

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Clean Hands – Safe Hands Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.

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Avoid Unnecessary Actions Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way Trying to avoid close contact with sick people.

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Staying at home if sick Staying home from work or school if you are sick

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Several countreis effected WHO The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (34), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Denmark (1), France (1), Germany (4), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (4), Republic of Korea (1), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (13).

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Prompt to seek Medical Attention There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of wellcooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Drug options in Swine Flu There are four influenza antiviral drugs approved for use in the United States (oseltamivir, zanamivir, Amantidine and rimantadine). The swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses that have been detected in humans in the United States and Mexico are resistant to Amantidine and rimantadine so these drugs will not work against these swine influenza viruses. Laboratory testing on these swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses so far indicate that they are susceptible (sensitive) to oseltamivir and zanamivir

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Drugs are Highly Beneficial If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious influenza complications. Influenza antiviral drugs work best when started soon after illness onset (within two 2 days), but treatment with antiviral drugs should still be considered after 48 hours of symptom onset, particularly for hospitalized patients or people at high risk for influenzarelated complications. Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

CDC Recommends CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

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Oseltamivir Oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®) is approved to both treat and prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people one year of age and older Doctortvrao’s ‘e’ learning series

Zanamivir Zanamivir (brand name Relenza ®) is approved to treat influenza A and B virus infection in people 7 years and older and to prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people 5 years and older.

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Spread the Message of Flu to Everyone

A good health preparedness Possible Option in Prevention

Updates on Swine Flu 2009 Doctortvrao's ‘e’ learning series

Dr.T.V.Rao MD Email [email protected]