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What Is The Swine Flu?
By Joe Fier | June 25, 2009
Novel influenza A (H1N1), a new flu virus of swine origin was first detected in Mexico in March and then in United States in April, 2009. The first swine flu patient in the United States was confirmed by laboratory testing at CDC on April 15, 2009 and second on April 17, 2009. It was quickly determined that the virus was contagious and was spreading from person-to-person. To better coordinate the public health response, on April 22, 2009 CDC (Centrer for Disease Control and Prevention) activated its Emergency Operations Center. On April 26, 2009, the US Government declared a public health emergency.
Swine Flu spreads in the similar way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. It spreads mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are suffering from swine flu. This flu is affecting mostly older children and young adults.
According to CDC, each one of 50 US states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, now reports the confirmed cases of swine flu. According to the CDC, by June 1, 2009 more than 10,000 total cases have been confirmed. But confirmed cases are considered to represent only about one-twentieth the actual numbers of cases. Considering that a calculation brings the estimated total to more than 200,000 cases nationwide. Even though the swine flu brings mild symptoms, 17 deaths in the US have been linked to the H1N1 virus.
Current state of Swine flu….
At this time, most people who have become ill with novel H1N1 in the US have recovered without requiring medical treatment and have experienced typical flu symptoms.
CDC is observing the situation carefully, to support the public health response and to collect information about this virus and its characteristics. The chase for a vaccine is well in progress, with the hope of having such a vaccine available before flu season starts in the US this fall.
According to a 10th June ’09 report published in New York Times, the virus is now widespread in the United States and continues to spread globally. The W.H.O. has recommended in opposition to attempts to contain it, arguing that it has already spread too widely. According to health officials, the number of new cases is declining in Mexico.
As the virus has continued to spread without causing large numbers of deaths or even hospitalizations, many experts have been questioning whether the new strain of flu is deadlier than normal seasonal flu.
Topics: Health | 2 Comments »
July 14th, 2009 at 3:54 am
the use of face masks and boosting your immune system by taking lots of vitamin-C is still an effective way of preventing the spread of the Swine Flu virus.
July 24th, 2009 at 6:14 am
I have a relative who got the Swine Flu in Mexico. It is a good thing that he already recovered from this disease.