| The virus H1N1 is a pathogenic agent of disease which is commonly known as “Swine influenza” or simply as Swine Flu. The disease caused by viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae is spread in swine populations, however, the virus can circulate among people, birds and other kinds; this process is accompanied by its mutations. “Swine Influenza” belongs to a type of micro-viruses, serotype A, subtype H1N1. Subtypes H1N2, H3N1, H3N2 are also found in pigs.
The virus is transmitted both through direct contact with infected organisms as well as through the droplet method and is capable of spreading from person to person from animal to persons and vice versa.
At present, debates are ongoing as to how to name the given strain of flu. On April 27, 2009 “Swine Flu” is named “California 04/2009” and on April 30 pork manufacturers supported renaming swine flu as “Mexican”; to date, an accurate unscientific name has been thought up.
Swine Flu Symptoms:
The main symptoms match regular flu symptoms:
Headache;
Muscular pains;
Rise in body temperature;
Cough;
Vomiting;
Diarrhea;
Pneumonia;
Running nose
Swine Flu Prevention:
The necessity to exclude close contact with persons which “appear to be sick with a high fever and cough” is mentioned in the preventive booklet, released by WHO about the highly pathogenic flu. It is recommended to thoroughly wash hands often using soap. “Lead a healthy life including sound sleep, use of healthy foods and physical activity”. During proper thermal processing the virus perishes.
Swine Flu Treatment:
Treatment of the majority of swine flu strains is accomplished with the help of the drugs Amantadin, Zanamivir, Oseltamivir, Rimantadin and a human being can be vaccinated against them (through vaccination) and through congenital immunity.
The mutant “Mexican” strain A/H1N1 is resistant to the majority of antiviral drugs available today. At present a full-fledged drug against the A/H1N1 strain does not exist - existing medicines can alleviate only the illness, especially, in its early stages (in cases when the patient approaches medical aid within 7 days after the appearance of the first symptoms of illness).
Epidemics:
Spanish Flu:
The Spanish flu or “La Pesadilla” was most probably the most terrible pandemic of flu during the entire history of mankind. Approximately 50-100 million people worldwide died due to the Spanish flu in 1918-1919. Around 400 million people or 21.5% of the population of the planet were infected. The epidemic started during the last months of the First World War and quickly eclipsed the largest bloodshed according to the number of victims.
On August 20, 2007, the Agricultural Department of the Philippines registered an outburst of the flu H1N1 in pig farms in the provinces Nueva Ecija and central Luzon.
Mexican swine flu:
The outbreak of the virus H1N1flu in 2009:
For the first time, symptoms of swine flu were noticed on April 1, 2009 in a boy Edgar Enrique Hernandez from a small village in La Gloria in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The inhabitants of the village are convinced that the initial source of infection were the gigantic stinking dung lakes close to the pig farms belonging to Americano-Mexican concerns. Maria Adela Gutierrez from Oaxaca became the first victim who died due to swine flu. She was admitted to hospital on April 8 and died 5 days later. On April 26, a quarantine was declared in Mexico. On April 29, at an emergency meeting WHO increased the pandemic threat level up to 5 (from a possible 6). At present, the virus extends equally among pigs, birds and human beings.
By May 5, 2009, the European centre for disease prevention and control in Stockholm had already confirmed 1269 swine flu cases in 22 countries worldwide.
The socio-economic consequences:
In connection with the epidemic swine flu threat, since May, 1 emergency situation was declared in Hong Kong. The hotel in which a sick tourist was staying was blocked and cordoned off by the police.
Preventive measures have strengthened social tension and gave vent to a small peasant revolt in Egypt when 300-400 “bad” pig breeders gathered in Cairo streets on May 3 to rescue their cattle from the threat of destruction. Demonstrators pelted stones and bottles on policemen and a special police force for maintaining the street unrest were compelled to use rubber truncheons and tear gas to disperse the protesting crowd.
Tour operators and pork manufacturers are expecting losses due to the quarantine.
Epidemiologists are finding out methods which can stop the spreading of swine flu. |
Swine Flu fear is shaking the whole world - from Mexico and USA to Spain and Asia and New Zealand. The Swine Flu virus mutated on pigs and is transmitted to humans.
Let's hope the world stops the spread of the swine flu virus as soon as possible. Meanwhile, to increase the world awareness of swine flu, merge pigs with any animals or humans any way you wish.
