Swine Flu

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What is Swine Flu?

"The 2009 flu outbreak in humans that is widely known as "swine flu" is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that was produced by reassortment from one strain of human influenza virus, one strain of avian influenza virus, and two separate strains of SIV. The origin of this new strain is unknown, and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that this strain has not been isolated in pigs. It passes with apparent ease from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. This 2009 H1N1 strain causes the normal symptoms of influenza, such as fever, coughing and headache." - Wikipedia



Myth: A flu that comes from pigs, avoid pork. Highly contagious, avoid people. Nothing will stop it once it starts and most people will catch it. Many will die. We should go to the hospital…



Reality: Yes, the flu originated from pigs, but just like the avian influenza and its association with birds, what is now known as the “swine flu” (the mutated virus) is not transmitted from animals to humans. The H1N1 virus (also referred to as influenza A) is the main concern in the world today.



What is a Pandemic?

Defined by Merriam-Webster, a pandemic “occur[s] over a wide geographic area and affect[s] an exceptionally high proportion of the population.” But how and when does a pandemic occur? Well, there have to many factors just right for a virus to spread and elevate into a pandemic. International travel is the greatest culprit of infectious diseases. First, small confined spaces like airplanes are the perfect incubators to spread a virus. Second, travelers are often under stress, sleep deprived and run down. Third, any consumption of alcohol, tobacco or prescription medications can all impact the immune system, further degrading the body’s ability to ward off sickness. This is what is happening right now. Travelers from Mexico are spreading the virus as they return home.

The last flu pandemic to claim millions of lives occurred in 1918 after the First World War. The Spanish flu, as it’s commonly known, spread to almost every country in the world and attacked a demographic usually exempt from contracting or even dying from the virus, namely, young, healthy adults. And the “Swine flu” or H1N1 A, as it’s now being called, is doing just the same thing as most of the reported cases in North America are in young to middle aged adults.

The myth is that the next pandemic would be a horrific repeat of the 1918 virus. That’s what the W.H.O (World Health Organization) and the rest of the world have feared for the last three years with the H5N1 flu strain, commonly known as the Avian Flu, because of its lethality. But the reality of a 1918 repeat is unlikely. The conditions in hospitals and quarantine facilities were far too inadequate to deal with the high number of people who became infected in 1918. And there is not a World War on right now. It is commonly thought that the tight quarters on troop ships for the returning soldiers from Would War 1 helped hasten the transmission and lethality of the Spanish flu.

In 2003, S.A.R.S. (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was set to become the next global pandemic. It’s a deadly virus and easily transmittable. And although some governments were not ready to deal with virus when the first outbreak occurred, the virus was halted fairly quickly and treatments and quarantines were meted out. Although the current flu spreading from travelers returning from Mexico is highly contagious, and the symptoms are usually severe, the fatalities are low, unlike the Spanish flu, which killed, from some estimates, close to a 100 million people. (Wikipedia) If the “Swine flu” can pass quickly enough the world can relax for the remainder of the spring and summer of 2009. The flu season is all but over and several of those people affected in Canada and America have all but recovered. The danger of any future pandemic occurring will most likely take place in the fall and winter as a new, fresh flu season begins. But between now and then governments around the world and the W.H.O. are working to be prepared for when this happens.



What Can I do?

Myth: Lock myself at home, avoid the public/students, return to home country… panic.

Reality: The pandemic alert has been raised to 5, and the fear is palpable. However, as of today there have been less than 500 confirmed cases and only 9 deaths (May 1st, 2009), it is not yet a pandemic and even if or when it does become one, life must continue. It is true that staying at home is the best solution, but sooner or later you must go out. Here are some helpful pointers for any pandemic situation from www.pandemicflu.gov:

* Develop preparedness plans as you would for other public health emergencies. (have extra food in the house, face masks, rubber gloves…)
* Participate and promote public health efforts in your state and community. (teach your students proper methods of washing {with soap}, sneezing/coughing etiquette, and staying home if sick)
* Talk with your local public health officials and health care providers; they can supply information about the signs and symptoms of a specific disease outbreak. (know your local hospital location and inform students of what the signs and symptoms are)
* Implement prevention and control actions recommended by your public health officials and providers.
* Adopt business/school practices that encourage sick employees/students to stay home.
* Anticipate how to function with a significant portion of the workforce/school population absent due to illness or caring for ill family members.
* Practice good health habits, including eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, and getting sufficient rest and take these common-sense steps to stop the spread of germs.

a) Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
b) Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues.
c) Stay away from others as much as possible if you are sick.



* Stay informed about pandemic influenza and be prepared to respond.

a) Consult www.pandemicflu.gov frequently for updates on national and international information on pandemic influenza.
b) Use national and local pandemic hotlines that will be established in the eventuality of a global influenza outbreak.
c) Listen to radio and television and read media stories about pandemic flu.

As an EFL teacher in a foreign country, we should stay informed with websites like the CDC and WHO for further details.
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/
WHO: http://www.who.int/en/