Swine Flu Outbreak in the USA and Mexico

As of 7:30 pm Saturday, April 25, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a total count of 11 cases of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) in the United States. This is a new virus which contains "genes from North American swine and avian influenza, human influenza and swine influenza normally found in Asia and Europe" according to the chief of the CDC's Influenza Division. Of note is that none of the patients had contact with either people that had regular contact with pigs or pigs themselves. This strain of swine flu has also shown some resistance to antiviral drugs.

California has seven cases; Texas and Kansas each have two laboratory confirmed cases of the virus. At this time, there are currently eight unconfirmed cases of the Swine Flu in a private school, St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, New York. Specimens have been obtained from the students and have been sent to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to confirm the presence of Swine Flu. According to Anne Schuchat, MD, the CDC's interim deputy director for science and public health program, declared at a news conference, "We are likely to find it [Swine Flu] in many other places. We don't think containment [of the virus] is feasible."

On the international front, in Mexico City 68 people have die pneumonia and 20 of these are a confirmed result from Swine Flu. Investigations, at this time, continue to see if these deaths are related to the recent outbreak of Swine Flu. Health officials in the US and Mexico are concerned because over 1,000 people have become infected in Mexico City in a short time span. The illness appears to be more virulent in Mexico that the US.

It is possible that President's Obama's trip may have been exposed to Swine Flu, as he was in Mexico at the approximate time of the initial outbreak. Apparently, the anthropologist that greeted Obama at the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, died the following day of flu-like symptoms. It has not been confirmed if the anthropologist, Felipe Solis, died of Swine Flu or not.

As part of the global response team for contagious illnesses, The CDC has deplored one medical officer and one senior expert to help respond to the outbreak of the flu in Mexico. Medical officers from both Mexico and the Untied States are continuing their hunt to find the source of the infection as well as to determine if others are infected with a Swine Flu virus.

At this time, a pandemic has yet to be declared. Per a spokesperson from the CDC, "A pandemic is basically a global epidemic -- an epidemic that spreads to more than one continent". Although it will take several months to perfect, the CDC is currently working on a vaccine for this particular strain of the influenza virus; there is no current vaccine.

Symptoms of Swine Flu:

The symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to that of regular seasonal flu and include: fever, lack of appetite, coughing, sneezing and lethargy. With Swine Flu some may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and runny nose. Notify your doctor immediately if you have the symptoms.

How to Protect Yourself from the Flu:

Influenza is a respiratory illness which is spread through sneezing and/or coughing of infected persons. To protect yourself from getting influenza, you can take the following preventative actions:

-The #1 way to prevent the spread of illness is to wash your hands with soap and water frequently after you cough or sneeze \(to be effective hand washing takes 15-30 seconds with soap and water)
-Alcohol-based hand cleaners are an alternative to hand washing when hand washing facilities are not available.
-Antiviral tissues may be effective.
-Dispose of the used tissue in the proper container.
-Avoid touch your mucous membranes with your hands (i.e. eyes, nose, mouth) to help prevent the spread of the illness.
-If you are ill, stay home!
-Avoid prolonged contact with anyone that is ill.
-If your immune system is compromised to chronic illness, HIV, cancer treatments prior to going out check with your physician about any additional precautions your provider will want you to take, such as wearing a respiratory mask.
-If you are immune compromised you may want to avoid air travel as the air is recirculated throughout the plane during your trip.
-Continue to monitor the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ for more health updates and instructions.

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090424.htm
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2237810/posts
Authors Professional Nursing Knowledge