Swine Flu: Is A Pandemic Inevitable?

The past few years have offered their share of potential pandemic scares: the A/H5N1 avian influenza (commonly called bird flu) and the West Nile virus both caused considerable anxiety across the globe. But as those threats subside, widespread apprehension of the next potentially deadly virus is upon us.

On April 27, 2009, the Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) met to discuss the rapid spread of the influenza A (H1N1)—popularly known as swine flu—in the United States, Mexico and Canada and additional countries. At that time, Mexico had reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection, including seven deaths.

Two days later, the United States reported 91 confirmed human cases and its first death from the dreaded virus. By then, nine countries (including the U.S. and Mexico) had officially reported cases of swine flu infection. Although Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom all reported confirmed cases (with no deaths), the Director-General of WHO recommended that borders not be closed nor international travel restricted. However, the WHO does recommend that those who are ill should delay international travel and those who develop symptoms following international travel should seek medical attention.

After reviewing available data on April 29, the Director-General raised the level of influenza pandemic alert to phase 5. WHO's pandemic flu response guidelines call for a Phase 5 alert when there is sustained human-to-human spread of the virus in at least two countries in one region. Because of the rapid spread of the virus, the Director-General has determined that “containment of the outbreak is not feasible” and recommended that “the current focus should be on mitigation measures.” This means that we each must take measures to stop the spread of the virus. The government of Mexico has restricted public gatherings, and some cruise ships are avoiding stops in ports that may be problematic. But what can we do on an individual level to mitigate the spread of swine flu?

The WHO recommends practicing these general preventive measures for influenza:

* Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough
* Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly
* Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food and keeping physically active.

If there is an ill person at home:

* Try to provide the ill person a separate section in the house. If this is not possible, keep the patient at least 1 meter in distance from others.
* Cover mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Masks can be bought commercially or made using the readily available materials as long as they are disposed of or cleaned properly.
* Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.
* Try to improve the airflow in the area where the ill person stays. Use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes.
* Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents.

The WHO gives further advice for those who believe they may have swine flu.

If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough and/or sore throat:

* Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible
* Rest and take plenty of fluids
* Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing and dispose of the used tissues properly
* Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing
* Inform family and friends about your illness and seek help for household chores that require contact with other people such as shopping.

If you need medical attention:

* Contact your doctor or healthcare provider and report your symptoms before travelling to the healthcare facility.
* Explain why you think you have swine influenza (for example, if you have recently travelled to a country where there is a swine influenza outbreak in humans). Follow the advice given to you for care.
* If it is not possible to contact your healthcare provider in advance, communicate your suspicion of having swine influenza immediately upon arrival at the healthcare facility.
* Take care to cover your nose and mouth during travel.

Following these guidelines will greatly reduce the possibility of transmitting swine flu (as well as other diseases) and will help protect yourself and others. If each person takes care to avoid contamination and contain each outbreak, the risk of disease will decrease, and we may find that a pandemic is not inevitable.

ALICE ABLER

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Swine Influenza (Flu)
WHO: Disease Outbreak News
WHO: Swine influenza