SWINE FLU DETAILS

Epidemiology:
It is estimated that annual epidemics cause 3–5 million cases of severe illness and 250,000–500,000 deaths worldwide.
The period between epidemic waves of influenza A tends to be 2–3 years; the interepidemic period for type B is longer (3–6 years).
Every 10–40 years, when a new subtype of influenza A appears, a pandemic results.
This happened in 1918 (H1N1), 1957 (H2N2), and 1968 (H3N2).
World Health Organization has reported 70893 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection from 116 countries as on 29th June 2009.
There have been 311 deaths.
No further update is available.
Situation in india:
'A total of 1,549 people have been tested so far, of whom 298 are positive for influenza A(H1N1),' a statement issued here said, adding that 181 people have been discharged from the health facilities.
Pharmaceutical intervention:
Pharmaceutical intervention
As of now, India has a stock of 10 million capsules of oseltamivir.
Some stocks are also committed by pharmaceutical companies for exclusive use by the Government.
This drug is only available through the public health system and its retail sale is banned as indiscriminate use may lead to development of resistance.
If there is widespread infection, MOHFW would review this decision.
Thermoscanner installed in Airport for Entry Screening.
How Swine Flu Spread Among Pigs?
During animal transport
Airborne transmission through aerosols produced by pigs e.g. coughing or sneezing.
The virus usually spreads quickly through a herd, infecting all the pigs within just a few days.

Direct Transmission

Pigs to Human (people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns & livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs)

Human to Pigs
Human to Human: (via aerosolized respiratory secretions for e.g. coughing ,sneezing of infected person, touching contaminated inanimate objects & then touching nose or mouth)
Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted from eating pork or pork products.
Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus.
Incubation period:
It is usually one to three days.
Pigs begin excreting the virus within 24 hours of infection, and may shed the virus for seven to ten days.
Infectious period:
Defined as “1 day prior to the case’s illness onset to 7 days after onset”.
Younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods up to 10 days.
A carrier state can exist for up to 3 months.
The viruses can live 2 hours or longer outside body.
Who are at risk ???
Children aged 6 months up to their 19yrs
Pregnant women
People 50 years of age and older
People of any age with certain medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease (Asthma, COPD, Emphysema ), Diabetes or those with weakened immune systems e.g. HIV.
Pathophysiology:
Influenza viruses enters the respiratory tract bind through Hemagglutinin onto Sialic acid sugars on the surfaces of epithelial cells; typically in the nose, throat and lungs of mammals.

The respiratory tract becomes swollen & inflamed .

From the tract it then enters the blood streams and symptoms begins to show .
Symptoms:

Fever with or without chills
Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Sore throat
Cough
Running nose
Body ache
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Seek Emergency Medical CareIF - in Children
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Bluish skin colour
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash