The Swine Flu Outbreak
The flu has been declared a pandemic in 2009. The latest strain of the flu is the H1N1 or Swine flu. It was first identified in April of 2009 by the World Health Organization. It has been called Novel Influenza A, H1N1 2009, more commonly the Swine Flu.
The first outbreak of the Swine Flu was in Mexico. Signs of an epidemic were evident before it was declared. The Mexican government was forced to close all the government offices and buildings in Mexico City in an attempt to control the spread of the Swine Flu. The illness soon spread worldwide where clinics were overwhelmed with the testing and treatment of patients.
The World Health Organization and The Center for Disease Control soon were forced to stop counting the number of cases. The two organizations started tracking major outbreaks. In July 2009 The WHO declared outbreak to be pandemic.
Most victims only experience mild symptoms. There are groups that are at a higher risk than others. These groups include those with Asthma and Diabetes. Those who suffer from Obesity and Heart Disease are also at a increased risk. Babies and those that are pregnant are especially susceptible to the virus. There are cases where Pneumonia will set in with in 3 to 4 days after contracting the virus.
As with other strains of the Flu the Swine Flu is contracted through the air. It can be spread by breathing in air that was sneezed or coughed in by an infected person. There are also cases where it was spread by touching and infected surface then touching your mouth or nose. Smoking can cause an increased risk to the H1N1 virus.
There are measures that can be taken to avoid spreading the Swine Flu virus. Those infected with the Swine Flu are recommended to stay home from school, work and other crowded areas. The wearing of face masks is not recommended unless you’re in a health care setting.
There is a vaccination for the Swine Flu which is being administered to those who are at a higher risk. Initially it was believed that two injections were required in order combat the Swine Flu virus. It is now known that this is not necessary in healthy adults. The seasonal Flu still requires a separate vaccination to the Swine Flu. It is necessary for those who are pregnant or suffer from a lowered immune system to seek the vaccination.The CDC and WHO have stressed that eating foods or food products that are derived from pigs will not cause the flu.
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