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NATIONAL
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Escalated Swine Flu Outbreak Sparks Pandemic Preparation
by Sandra Jordan
Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American
(NNPA) - As the number of swine flu cases continue to grow in the U.S. and internationally, Dr. Richard Besser, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said now is the time for businesses, communities, faith-based organizations and families to think about how they would function in the event of a pandemic outbreak of swine flu.
“There’s been tremendous planning that’s been going on around the country over the past number of years,” Besser said.
“Hopefully this outbreak would not progress, but leaning forward and thinking about what you would do is one of the most important things individuals and communities can undertake right now.”
Pandemic preparation previously centered on the threat from an avian flu virus (H5N1) jumping from infecting birds to infecting humans.
Now joint international efforts are underway to prevent H1N1 influenza A, the new strain of the swine flu, from reaching pandemic proportions.
This new strain is considered unique due to genetic origins from both pigs and birds, and it can be transmitted readily from human to human.
Mexico appears to be the epicenter for this outbreak, where more than 1,600 people have been affected, resulting in at least 19 deaths. The U.S. has issued a travel advisory, recommending all non-essential travel to Mexico be avoided.
The World Health Organization reports swine flu cases in New Zealand, Canada, Spain, Israel and the United Kingdom.
WHO raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 4, which means there are confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus which is able to cause “community-level” outbreaks.
The U.S. has had at least 226 confirmed cases of swine flu. The government released a quarter of the nation’s antiviral stockpiles to treat potential new cases – 11 million treatment courses are going to known affected states New York, California, Texas, Ohio and Kansas as well as other states. Recent reports say most states have now encountered at least one case of the virus.
The CDC has declared a Public Health Emergency to act aggressively against the swine flu outbreak. Besser said the declaration is not cause for alarm. It gives the government additional authority to operate faster.
“It allows us to move products and dispense drugs in a way we couldn’t before and streamlined the process by which the government works and so it’s primarily a reflection of that,” Besser said.
“It’s something that we do whenever we feel that we want to have the ability to move quickly and swiftly.”
The Defense Dept. has stockpiles of Relenza and Tamiflu available to protect the military population, along with contingency plans in the event of a greater health crisis.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of influenza medicines by public health and medical personnel and diagnostic and therapeutic tools to identify and respond to the swine flu virus.
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture already monitors animal health and has a surveillance system to do so.
“It is important to remember that not only have there been no reports of this virus in swine, according to scientists at USDA, swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food so a person cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products,” said U.S. Secretary Of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
“In fact, cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all viruses and other food-borne pathogens. Eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products is safe.”
Homeland Security is closely coordinating with the Department of Health and Human Services and with the CDC to monitor the situation.
The following are some swine flu facts:
• This new strain of swine influenza virus has genetic origins from both pigs and birds, and can be transmitted readily from human to human
• The strain has caused deaths/severe illnesses in Mexico
• Swine flu is contracted mainly through coughing and sneezing
• Swine flu cannot be contracted by eating pork
• The new strain is receptive to antiviral medicines oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza)
• Milder cases are reported in California, Mexico, Kansas, Ohio and New York based on testing and not new outbreaks, requiring one hospitalization. All have recovered.
• Outbreaks were first seen in late March and April
• H1N1 is striking younger, seemingly healthy persons
• As additional testing continues, more cases are expected
• Because it first appeared near the end of flu season, an outbreak is expected to reemerge in the fall with the next flu season.
Although some have reported diarrhea and vomiting with the strain, symptoms are similar to most flu symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache/body aches and fatigue. Health officials advise seeking medical attention immediately if you develop flu-like illness.
The only way to tell if a person has swine flu is though laboratory testing of a respiratory specimen taken within the first few days of the illness. The specimen would then be sent to the CDC.
Federal, state and local health officials stress the personal responsibility of individuals in taking steps that are crucial to limiting the spread of the flu.
Influenza is most easily spread by airborne droplets that come in contact another person’s mucus membranes (i.e., the nose or eyes) when someone coughs or sneezes in our faces. The best ways to diminish the spread of germs and disease include:
• Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and warm water; alcohol-based gel sanitizers are also effective
• Covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough; cough away from other people and throw any tissue away after use
• If you have to cough in your hand, wash your hands immediately
• Staying at home from school or work when you are feverish and sick and limit contact with others
• Avoiding close contact with sick persons
• Avoid spreading germs through touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Health officials say touching objects or hands are inefficient ways for the flu to spread because the virus survives only a few minutes on these surfaces.
The report “Pandemic Flu: preparing before it’s too late” appeared in the January 1, 2009 issue of Your Health Matters. Find it at using the advanced search tab at www.stlamerican.com.
Checklists, supply lists and tips for pandemic preparation for home and businesses can be found at www.redcrossstl.org, www.pandemicprep.org or www.pandemicflu.gov.
Swine flu updates can be found at the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
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