Posts Tagged ‘Flu Pandemic’
Swine flu epidemic moves closer to a pandemic
Swine flu cases continue to increase. The WHO have upgraded the pandemic level warning to 5, one step short of calling it “imminent”. In Mexico, schools and businesses have closed until at least 6 May. In the US, about 100 schools have closed due to the rise in potential swine flu. In the UK, one school has closed for a week. Businesses in Mexico have suffered due to the shut-downs and travel restrictions. This can only worsen the global recession crisis.
Though a flu pandemic is a potentially serious crisis, the world is more prepared than it has been in the past. So far, the virus appears to be responding to anti-viral therapy. Nevertheless, there is always concern that the virus may mutate, which would make it more virulent.
Are we overreacting to this new strain of the flu? Or, could it be another SARS-like epidemic? Whatever the case, vigilance is necessary, including measures to reduce the spread of the virus. We should be grateful for the fact that the illness is still treatable at this stage.
New flu epidemic hits Mexico
There is a small outbreak of swine flu in Mexico that has killed 60 people. It is being blamed for 800 more cases of illness. Seven other cases of swine flu in southern US have been reported. All those have survived. It is unclear at this time whether the cases in the US are linked to the ones in Mexico. Interestingly, the seven in the US had no contact with pigs.
Tests are still being done on the cases in Mexico to confirm that it is swine flu in all of them. A spokesman for the CDC (Center for Disease Control) reported that the virus that has been identified in the confirmed cases show a mixture of pig, bird and human viruses. This is the first time that experts have seen such a combination strain.
It is rather late in the season for influenza, but it is an unusual virus that we are dealing with. Schools have been closed and a vaccination campaign has been started. However, it is doubtful that the vaccine will have much effect since it was produced for a different strain of the flu. People are urged to take preventative measures. Experts have been nervously awaiting a major flu pandemic, so one wonders if this is the start of a major worldwide problem.
So, what can you do if this swine flu does spread? Well, it’s best to take care of your general health. That means eat right, get plenty of rest, wash hands thoroughly when required, cover up when you sneeze or cough, isolate those who are ill. Vaccination will depend on whether the correct vaccine is distributed. However, it is recommended to take the vaccine even if it is does not cover the correct strain, because it should confer some protection against fatality.
