SWINE FLU

Subject: SWINE FLU Tue 18 Aug 2009, 2:21 pm

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by
type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in
pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death
rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine
throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and
winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu
virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in
1930. The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of
influenza virus, officially named the "new H1N1", first identified in
April 2009, and commonly called "Swine flu." It is thought to be a
mutation of four known strains of the influenza A virus, subtype H1N1:
one endemic in (normally infecting) humans, one endemic in birds, and
two endemic in pigs (swine). Experts assume the virus "most likely"
emerged from pigs in Asia, and was carried to North America by infected
persons. There is also evidence that the new strain had been
circulating among pigs on other continents for years before infecting
humans. Cooked pork products are safe to eat as the virus cannot be
transmitted by eating and it is transited from human to human. The
virus typically spreads from coughs and sneezes or by touching
contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth. Symptoms,
which can last up to a week, are similar to those of seasonal flu, and
may include fever, sneezes, sore throat, coughs, headache, and muscle
or joint pains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
notes that most cases worldwide have been mild so far and most
hospitalizations and deaths have been of persons that also had
underlying conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease,
or a weakened immune system. So far, over 200 000 people have been
infected with Swine Flu, while "only" about 1 600 have died, which is
mortality rate of 0.8 percent, so we should not panic, but we should be
cautious. Compared to Black Plague pandemic between 1348. and 1350. in
Europe, which had mortality rate of over 75 percent, Swine Flu is not
so scary, isn't it?