Swine Flu Global Pandemic declared

In this ultra-modern, health-conscious world, one would not have thought this to happen. But the World Health Organization has just declared a swine flu pandemic has begun.

WHO declares Swine Flu Global Pandemic, 11 June 2009. Image: Newscom

Although the WHO declared the danger as “moderate severity”, the agency stressed that the threat of the H1N1 virus needs to be taken seriously, as “the virus is now unstoppable.”

The A(H1N1) virus is a combination of three viruses – human, swine and avian, and that made it particularly dangerous to humans as there is no immunity, nor vaccine (to date), to this strain.

UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES

As of June11, there are 28,774 people infected by the A(H1N1), and 144 have died. Most of those infected rapidly recovered, and did not need medical treatment. WHO Director Margaret Chan emphasized that modern technology is helping track the virus at every level. “We’re at an advantage,” she adds because we can closely monitor and thoroughly investigate the spread of the virus and its consequences. “No previous pandemic has been detected so early or watched so closely, in real-time, right at the very beginning.”

However, the H1N1 virus has a different pattern that the ordinary seasonal flu virus. The H1N1 virus preferably infects younger people, and the majority of cases have been in those 25 years old and younger. Most of the severe and fatal infections are seen in people ages 20 to 30 years old, who are not usually susceptible with the seasonal flu. In one third of these cases, the young people were previously healthy and had no signs of chronic illnesses.

What country is most affected by the swine flu? How can you  protect yourself from it, and what do you if you get sick? Answers to these questions and more, after the cut.

Dr. Margaret Chan at the WHO Pandemic Flu Announcement. 11 June 2009. Image: Newscom

It’s unusual that most cases have been in “comparatively well-off countries”. In fact, the United States leads with 13,217 cases of H1N1 infection, followed by Mexico (5717), and Canada (2446). And perhaps that’s why the majority has recovered easily. But the WHO is concerned about uncontrolled spread in developing countries, where there are limited resources, poor health care and more people with underlying medical problems.

Some countries had unusual increases in reported new cases, including Chile (1694) and Australia (1224) – (June 10 data). And the world agency’s flu expert, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, indicated that the virus was rapidly spreading in Australia, with 1,260 new cases on June 10.

Pharmaceutical companies are also scrambling to produce a vaccine against A(H1N1). The Wall Street Journal reports that vaccine makers can begin mass production in as early as two weeks, and the first doses of a limited supply of pandemic vaccine could be available by September.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT AGAINST THE SWINE FLU?

SO after all these bleak warnings, the question we really want to know – what can I do to prevent from getting the H1N1 virus?

• Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms: fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat, runny nose.
• Clean hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your nose and mouth.
• Reduce the time spent in crowded settings, if possible.
• Improve ventilation in your living space by opening windows.
• Practice good healthy habits.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAVE THE SWINE FLU (or think you have the flu)?

• Stay home. Keep away from work, school or crows.
• Get in touch with your doctor, as he and the local health authority can confirm a case of H1N1.
• Follow your doctor’s advice!
• Rest and take plenty of fluids.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
• Use a mask to help contain the virus.
• Wash hands immediately after coughing or sneezing.

As of this writing the WHO made no restrictions on travel and border closures, but countries were cautioned to be prepared to see new cases in the near future. At the WHO news conference where the flu pandemic was announced, Dr. Chan parted with “We are all in this together, and we will all get through this, together.”