Swine Flu Outbreak - Global race is on to contain it

The world is yet again faced with another scare. This time it is the Swine flu. I think this could be the same as the Nipah virus Malaysia had a few years ago which resulted in many human deaths among pig handlers and farmers and the culling of pigs and shutting down of pig farms in Negri Sembilan and those in and around Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere in the country.

The picture below shows a worker cleaning St. Francis Preparatory School in New York on April 26, 2009 after the swine flu was confirmed in eight students, prompting the federal government to declare a public health emergency across the United States.



The global race is on to contain swine flu outbreak. U.S. declares state of emergency as 20 cases confirmed; 86 dead in Mexico.

Excerpts from MSNBC:
Mexico, the outbreak’s epicenter with up to 103 suspected deaths, canceled some church services and closed markets and restaurants. Few people ventured onto the streets, and some wore face masks. Canada became the third country to confirm cases, in six people, including some students who — like some New York City spring-breakers — got mildly ill in Mexico. Countries across Asia promised to quarantine feverish travelers returning from flu-affected areas.

New Zealand said 13 students who took a school trip to Mexico “likely” had swine flu. Spanish authorities had seven suspected cases under observation. A New York City school where eight cases are confirmed will be closed Monday and Tuesday.

China, Russia and Taiwan began planning to quarantine travelers arriving from flu-affected areas if they have symptoms. Italy, Poland and Venezuela advised citizens to postpone travel to affected parts of Mexico and the U.S.

The U.S. hasn’t advised against travel to Mexico but does urge precautions such as frequent hand-washing while there, and began questioning arriving travelers about flu symptoms.

CDC officials said Sunday they would begin handing out “yellow cards” at airports with information about signs, symptoms and ways to reduce the chance of acquiring the virus.

Worldwide, attention focused sharply on travelers. More..

is Swine flu? Get a better understanding of Swine flu and prevention tips from this Swine flu Q&A as well as from here about infectious diseases .

I just bought some ham so naturally I am concerned but I need not be because according to the US CDC, people cannot become infected by eating pork or pork products. Also, cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 deg Fahrenheit kills the virus as well as other bacteria. Most cases of human infection occur when patients have direct contact with pigs.

However, human-to-human infections do occur similar to the way the human seasonal flu virus is transmitted — through coughing, sneezing and coming in contact with a person or object with the virus which accounts for the need of wearing a mask.

What are the symptoms?
Just to be safe, if you have flu-like symptoms, it is best to see a doctor. Symptoms are similar to those of the regular human influenza virus: fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some who have been infected with the swine flu also reported having a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Back home in Malaysia, the Health Ministry is fully prepared to deal with any spread of the swine flu and has placed its officers at all travel entry points in Malaysia to screen travellers suspected of the illness.

Source: MSNBC