Pig Influenza Virus / Testimonial in México

April 13, Oaxaca. A woman died because of the pig influenza. That was the first case registered in México, according to Dr. José Angel Córdoba Villalobos, the actual Secretary of Health. Now the pig influenza is affecting most in Mexico City.

The secretary said this Saturday, that 20 out of 81 deaths for lung infections in the country had been confirmed as cases of pig influenza. About 1,324 people suspected with influenza are under study right now. Other states with people sick of flu, although not confirmed for influenza, are San Luis Potosí (62 cases and 4 people died for pneumonia) Veracruz and Estado de México.

Recommendations to avoid influenza

In order to prevent the transmission of influenza, the Secretary of health in México indicated to:
1. Avoid crowded places
2. Avoid close spaces
3. Avoid salutations with the hand and kisses
4. Wear tissues to cover mouth and nose
5. Go to the doctor at the minimal sign of flu
6. Enhance your immunologic system
7. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
8. Sneeze in the arm, under the elbow, instead of doing it in the hand
9. Try to stay at home.
10. Never self-medicate
11. Eat fruit and do not drink alcohol nor smoke
12. Avoid sick people

Supposedly there was negligence in a case of pig influenza. Absolutely not confirmed or investigated.

According to the testimonial of a woman who said to work in the National Institute of Breathing Disease (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, INER in Spanish) they received a patient infected with the pig virus of influenza on march 2009. The man, who was coming from Tabasco, didn't survive, neither the 16 patients he transmitted the virus to, including a baby. The anonymous worker said it was a medical negligence.

Her voice was distorted in the radio (Radio Trece 1260 AM) during the news program of Jorge Santa Cruz, on April 24. For obvious reasons she preferred not to be identified. It is likely to figure out that such a serious declaration may affect her work, and the interests of some important persons in the institution.

She said that the authorities of INER had not taken the basic sanitary steps so that people were not exposed to the virus. Now there are more than 20 persons infected with influenza ─according to the woman─ among personnel and patients.

No vaccination for the pig influenza yet

The eventuality needs a vaccination campaign, but the existing vaccines are useless as it is a new kind of virus. In this case the use of medicine must be strictly under medical prescription, and the prevention is essential for the population.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention of USA has recommended to use Amantadina and Rimantadina for treatment. After weeks of investigation they discovered that this kind of virus is identical to the responsible of influenza in California, Texas and New York.

It is the AH1N1. The "N" is neuraminidaza which means the molecular structure of the virus makes it easy to be anchored in the nasal mucose. It is a kind of mutant virus which combines elements from the influenza virus in pigs, poultry and humans.

Self-medication just because "it worked with the neighbor", or because "that's what I use for flu" is very dangerous for at least three reasons:

1. The real problem is masked. With common medicine like Aspirina, most of the symptoms disappear, and the real problem may not be noticed until it is too late.
2. Time is precious to save the life. If the problem is disguised, it is a waste of time not to take the right treatment since first.
3. The virus gets more powerful. The sickness persists because it gets more resistant to the medicine.

What makes this virus so fearful is that it joins the conditions to be epidemic. Unlike the typical influenza of winter, which usually attacks children and old people, this is not a seasonal sickness and it is taking a toll of healthy adults from 25 to 50 years.

The OMS have not declared México in quarantine, there is no prohibition to visit México, however Dr. Angel Córdoba said it was going to take about 10 days to control the epidemic. Terrible news for the striving mexican economy, as the tourism may decrease.

Classes in all the schools, of all levels, have been suspended, as well as massive events and activities. People are masking to go out, and "coyotes" are selling tissues to cover mouth and nose 5 times more expensive than the normal prize.

México is in yellow alarm, the world is worried for this situation, the OMS is working to prevent the influenza from reaching levels of pandemic. What else are we going to see from now on? What is going to cause the demise of human being first, the pandemics, the catastrophes or the humans themselves? Could it be a natural defense of the Earth? Gaia has been too generous with us, but we do our best to represent the biggest danger for the life in this planet.