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Swine Flu Panic Goes Global
  2009-04-29
 

Scientists have been talking about the possibility of a possible global pandemic for years. The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) report that there are currently “additional cases of confirmed swine influenza and a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients. Internationally, the situation is more serious too, with additional countries reporting confirmed cases of swine flu.” Swine flu is common in animals, but rare in humans. However, people who work closely with swine are at risk of catching the flu, if there is a strain that can attach onto humans.

News of the newly discovered swine flu puzzled and concerned health officials when the story was made public days ago. The new flu has strains of avian, swine, and human components, with swine elements from several continents. A number of prominent health professionals have said that, since this flu virus is new, many people may not have immunity against it. One key reason the global health community is on alert. And since news of this grim outbreak sent national officials into emergency response mode, authorities have been scrambling to determine the source. When health officials first announced their concerns with the flu, less than 100 people worldwide had reported flu-like symptoms and Congress in Washington D.C., cautioned the public not to be alarmed. But today, numerous agencies are cautioning the public to take the flu serious.

The World Health Organization (WHO) held a committee meeting, and on advice from the committee, the WHO Director-General raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from 3 to 4. The alert was raised, based on several reasons including, “epidemiological data demonstrating human-to-human transmission and the ability of the virus to cause community-level outbreaks,” according to WHO information. Today, over 80 people have the swine flu in Mexico, with a reported seven deaths, 66 people have the swine flu in the U.S., with one reported death reported this morning, involving a 23-month old child.

Officials are not sure why the outbreak is mainly concentrated in Mexico and the U.S. The WHO reports that the following countries have confirmed cases with no deaths: Canada (6), New Zealand (3), the United Kingdom (2), Israel (2) and Spain (2). The CDC states that as this new virus continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks. In an effort the respond to the growing number of cases around the world, the CDC has implemented its emergency response. The center is advising the public to:

  • Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  • If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

    • Continue to check for updates on the flu outbreak. If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

    Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms:

  • Fever (usually high)
  • Headache
  • Tiredness (can be extreme)
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body aches
  • Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults)

    • Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms.

    ***Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, U.S. News & World Report, and the Associated Press.