Swine Flu Factoids


Swine influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs. When the flu spreads person-to-person, instead of from animals to humans, it can continue to mutate, making it harder to treat or fight, because people have no natural immunity.



Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.



The number of people infected with swine flu increased rapidly across the world on Wednesday, as health officials scramble to get more information about the virus. This is a virus never seen before. There is no background immunity and is spreading from human to human. This presents the potential for a pandemic.



Germany and Austria became the latest European countries to report swine flu on Wednesday, while the number of cases increased in the United Kingdom and Spain.



At the time of compiling this Brief, there are 132 confirmed cases in 11 countries, the majority in the United States, according to the WHO and the CDC. Those figures include seven deaths in Mexico and one in the United States.



In Mexico, where the outbreak originated, health officials suspect the swine flu outbreak has caused more than 159 deaths and roughly 2,500 illnesses. So far, 26 cases — including the seven deaths — have been confirmed.



Protecting yourself and others

Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
The flu virus can travel through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. When you cough or sneeze you should:



Turn away from other people

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve

Use disposable tissues rather than a handkerchief (which could store the virus)

Put used tissues into the nearest bin, rather than a pocket or handbag

Wash your hands, or use an alcohol hand rub, as soon as possible afterwards.



Wash your hands


Washing your hands regularly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based product (gels, rinses, foams - available at supermarkets and pharmacies) that does not require water - even when they aren’t visibly dirty - is effective in killing the flu virus.



Always wash your hands:



After you’ve been to the toilet

After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose

After being in contact with someone who has a cold or flu

Before touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Before preparing food and eating.



Don’t share personal items


The flu virus can spread when someone touches an object with the virus on it and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.



If a member of your household has the flu:

Keep personal items, such as towels, bedding and toothbrushes separate

Do not share eating and drinking utensils, food or drinks.



Clean surfaces


Flu viruses can live on surfaces for several hours. If a member of your household has the flu, you should regularly clean surfaces such as tables, benches, fridge doors and door knobs with soap and water or detergent.



Avoid close contact with others if you are unwell with flu


Keeping your distance from others by standing or sitting back (at least one metre apart, where possible) will help reduce the chances of spreading the flu virus between people.



While you are unwell you should remain at home and avoid going out in public. If you are unwell, you should not go to work or school or attend other public or crowded gatherings, and avoid taking public transport. If you need to use public transport, it is recommended that you wear a mask to contain the virus.



Do not visit people who have the flu unless it is absolutely necessary.



If a member of your household has the flu, he or she should be separated from other members of the family if possible, and be encouraged to wear a surgical mask. If you are caring for someone who has the flu, you too should wear a mask and gloves when in close contact to protect yourself from catching the flu.



Preparing your household


There are several things you can do now that will help you be prepared, should a pandemic occur:



Have plans in place for if you and your family have to stay at home for a week or so during a pandemic. Talk to your family and friends and co-workers about this



If you live alone; are a single parent of young children; or are the only person caring for a frail or disabled person, think of someone you could call upon for help if you become very ill with the flu. Discuss with the person what help you might need and how that could best be provided



Think of someone you could call on to care for your children if their school or day care centre were to close during a pandemic but you still had to go to work. Discuss this with them



Have a telephone network for you and the people who live close by. Keep extra top up credit for your mobile phone in your home if applicable.



Put the phone number of your family doctor in a prominent place



Stock your pantry to ensure your household has an adequate supply of food, water and essential items to cope with a prolonged emergency situation. For many - adding in some alcoholic beverages may make the time pass more quickly. If its Gin - don’t forget the tonic



Think of someone who could help you with food and other supplies if you and your family were sick and could not leave the house



Teach children about hand washing and cough etiquette



Think about any extra supplies you might need in a pandemic - these could include prescription medications and personal hygiene supplies.



At work


To contain the possibility of an outbreak among your employees



Wash Your Hands FREQUENTLY - particularly before, during and after food preparation and/or consumption. Also after shaking hands or sharing office equipment



Stay away from work if you are sick.



Note: Even during the most severe pandemics, most people completely recover. Recovered workers will have immunity to the illness and can safely return to work.



Clean and disinfect work surfaces and office hot spots during the workday.



Note: Office hot spots may include shared office equipment such as faxes and microwaves, light switches, pens, time clocks, etc



FAQ’s


What is swine flu?

Pigs spread their own strains of influenza and every so often people catch one, usually after contact with the animals. This new strain is a mix of pig viruses with some human and bird viruses. Unlike more typical swine flu, it is spreading person-to-person. A 1976 outbreak of another unusual swine flu in New Jersey in the US - prompted a problematic mass vaccination campaign, but that time the flu fizzled out.

So is it safe to eat pork?

Yes. Swine influenza viruses don’t spread through food.

How do I protect myself and my family?

For now, take commonsense precautions. Cover your coughs and sneezes, with a tissue that you throw away or by sneezing into your elbow rather than your hand. Wash hands frequently; if soap and water aren’t available, hand gels can substitute. Stay home if you’re sick and keep children home from school if they are.

How easy is it to catch this virus?

Scientists don’t yet know if it takes fairly close or prolonged contact with someone who’s sick, or if it’s more easily spread. But in general, flu viruses spread through uncovered coughs and sneezes or-and this is important-by touching your mouth or nose with unwashed hands.

Note: Flu viruses can live on surfaces for several hours, like on a doorknob just touched by someone who sneezed into his hand.

In Mexico, officials are handing out face masks. Do I need one?

The CDC says there’s not good evidence that masks really help outside of health care settings. It’s safer just to avoid close contact with someone who’s sick and avoid crowded gatherings in places where swine flu is known to be spreading. But if you can’t do that, CDC guidelines say it’s OK to consider a mask-just don’t let it substitute for good precautions.

Is swine flu treatable?

Yes, with the flu drugs Tamiflu or Relenza, but not with two older flu medications.

Should I take Tamiflu as a precaution if I’m not sick yet?

No. Overusing antiviral drugs can help germs become resistant to them.

How big is my risk?
For most people, very low. Outside of Mexico, so far clusters of illnesses seem related to Mexican travel. New York City’s cluster, for instance, consists of students and family members at one school where some students came back ill from spring break in Mexico.

What are the symptoms?
They’re similar to regular human flu-a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting.

How do I know if I should see a doctor? Maybe my symptoms are from something else-like pollen? Health authorities say if you live in places where swine flu cases have been confirmed, or you recently travelled to Mexico, and you have flulike symptoms, ask your doctor if you need treatment or to be tested.

Allergies won’t cause a fever. And run-of-the-mill stomach bugs won’t be accompanied by respiratory symptoms.

Is there a vaccine to prevent this new infection? No. And CDC’s initial testing suggests that last winter’s flu shot didn’t offer any cross-protection.

How long would it take to produce a vaccine?
A few months… The CDC has created what’s called “seed stock” of the new virus that manufacturers would need to start production. But the government hasn’t yet decided if the outbreak is bad enough to order that.