Swine Flu

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930. Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i. e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.  The Dangers of Swine Flu and Bird Flu How to Protect Yourself, Family or Business Presently there is a swine flu epidemic that originated in Mexico and is quickly traveling throughout the world. The virus is known as swine influenza A (H1N1). The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow internationally. In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks. Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. The declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short. This would be the world’s first flu pandemic since 1968. There is no Vaccine According to officials it could take six months or more to produce a vaccine. Even then, quantities will be limited. Initial supplies will be designated for health professionals, first responders and the military. The H5N1 bird flu virus is a highly contagious deadly virusand is carried by birds and other animals. When contracted it often causes rapid and sudden death. So far over 400 people have contracted it and over 60 percent of them have died. It is spreading throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. On March 9, 2006, the U. S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff estimated migratory birds could carry the avian flu virus through Canada and to U. S. shores within several months. There is now a fear that the H1N1 virus, which spreads rapidly and easily, may combine with the highly leathal H5N1 bird flu virus, and mutate into a highly contagious and deadly pandemic flu. The CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s response to this emerging health threat and on April 26th 2009 the Secretary of the Department Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, declared a public health emergency in the United States. Typical of a new virus, such as the H1N1 swine flu, there is virtually no immunity to it and no vaccine. The alarming part about the H5N1 avian flu is that it kills the majority of people that get it, including young healthy people with strong immune systems, whereas normal seasonal influenza causes only mild respiratory symptoms in most people. Human-to-Human Spread of both the H1N1 Swine Flu andthe H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Has Already Occurred Swine flu is spreading at an alarming rate. According to The World Health Organization, the current outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza are the largest and most severe on record. The virus has already mutated with limited person-to-person spread occurring in Indonesia. Health experts fear that as in past pandemics, it will mutate further, into a virus that is easily spread from person-to-person, becoming a deadly human pandemic with millions dying. Many scientists think it is just a question of when. We are overdue for the next pandemic Whether it is the currently fast spreading swine flu, avian bird flu, SARS or a totally different viral threat, experts acknowledge we are overdue for the next pandemic. “The (bird flu) virus continues to spread in wild birds across the world. There is no reason to believe that at some point it will stop. . . . We need to be prepared,” said Michael Leavitt, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. “We’ve probably never been closer to a pandemic”, stated Dr. Julie Gerberding of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). “It’s not a matter of if,but when. . . “, said Dr Michael Osterholm, one of the world’s foremost infectious disease experts and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). When it hits it will sweep thru society like wildfire. It could become be the worst disaster known to man, causing millions of deaths worldwide, more than all the natural disasters and wars combined. Hospitals and health care professionals will be overwhelmed. There is no way to stop it; everyone is at risk “Bird flu, a human pandemic is unavoidable and will take place sooner or later”, stated Dr. David Nabarro, United Nations World Health Organization Coordinator for avian and human influenza. He estimated as many as 150 million potential deaths worldwide. According to Dr. Nabarro: “Once a flu pandemic starts, everyone will be at risk of getting pandemic flu, because no one has natural immunity to the virus. However, certain groups may be at greater risk of dying than others. There are strong indications that the coming bird-flu pandemic may be similar to the influenza pandemic of 1918 and, if so, healthy adults would be most at risk of dying, along with pregnant women and the elderly. ”   Why are healthy adults at greatest risk? Dr. Nabarro explains: “It appears that the H5N1 bird-flu virus causes a massive immunological response against the virus in those with the strongest immune systems.  Unfortunately, this causes the release of human enzymes called “cytokines,” which destroy lung cells along with viral particles.  This, in turn, causes a deadly outpouring of fluids into the lung, which interferes with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This reaction is frequently fatal. ” “Let’s acknowledge the fact that for the first six months of any pandemic, we’re not going to have a vaccine,” Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt told The Associated Press. If they can make a vaccine, it is expected to be too little, too late, with no assurance it will work at all. At best, officials expect there would only be enough vaccine for 25 percent of the population. Health professionals and emergency response workers would get first priority. How can people and their families survive a pandemic flu? Planning for a pandemic requires immediate action. Most people are not adequately informed or prepared to protect themselves from becoming a victim of this dreadful and deadly disease. The precautions you must take now, as well as after it strikes, are described in detail in the following FREE e-book guide: The Individual and Family Guide to Pandemic Bird Flu – Swine Flu Preparedness The guide spells out the critical actions necessary to protect you and your family. It contains many tips and precautions that must be taken to avoid infection, plus valuable web links to help keep you current and informed. This guide is the result of extensive research from many respected sources including: The World Health Organization, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, U. S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and others. In the guide you will learn: What to expect during a pandemic How to prepare Supplies to keep on hand How to tell if a pandemic is about to start How the virus spreads How to tell if you have a cold or the flu What are the symptoms of the avian flu How to avoid infection How to prevent its spread to others Frank advice not found anywhere elseand more. . . Click here to Download the Free guide at http://www. pandemicinfosite. com