Sep13
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Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
The Dangers of Swine Flu and Bird Flu
How to Protect Yourself, Family or Business
Presently there is a swine flu epidemic that originated in Mexico and is quickly traveling throughout the world. The virus is known as swine influenza A (H1N1).The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow internationally.
In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks. Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. The declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short. This would be the world’s first flu pandemic since 1968.
There is no Vaccine
According to officials it could take six months or more to produce a vaccine. Even then, quantities will be limited. Initial supplies will be designated for health professionals, first responders and the military.
The H5N1 bird flu virus is a highly contagious deadly virusand is carried by birds and other animals. When contracted it often causes rapid and sudden death. So far over 400 people have contracted it and over 60 percent of them have died. It is spreading throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. On March 9, 2006, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff estimated migratory birds could carry the avian flu virus through Canada and to U.S. shores within several months.
There is now a fear that the H1N1 virus, which spreads rapidly and easily, may combine with the highly leathal H5N1 bird flu virus, and mutate into a highly contagious and deadly pandemic flu.
The CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s response to this emerging health threat and on April 26th 2009 the Secretary of the Department Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, declared a public health emergency in the United States.
swine flu
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
The Dangers of Swine Flu and Bird Flu
How to Protect Yourself, Family or Business
Presently there is a swine flu epidemic that originated in Mexico and is quickly traveling throughout the world. The virus is known as swine influenza A (H1N1).The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow internationally.
In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks. Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. The declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short. This would be the world’s first flu pandemic since 1968.
There is no Vaccine
According to officials it could take six months or more to produce a vaccine. Even then, quantities will be limited. Initial supplies will be designated for health professionals, first responders and the military.
The H5N1 bird flu virus is a highly contagious deadly virusand is carried by birds and other animals. When contracted it often causes rapid and sudden death. So far over 400 people have contracted it and over 60 percent of them have died. It is spreading throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. On March 9, 2006, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff estimated migratory birds could carry the avian flu virus through Canada and to U.S. shores within several months.
There is now a fear that the H1N1 virus, which spreads rapidly and easily, may combine with the highly leathal H5N1 bird flu virus, and mutate into a highly contagious and deadly pandemic flu.
The CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s response to this emerging health threat and on April 26th 2009 the Secretary of the Department Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, declared a public health emergency in the United States.
swine flu