Swine Flu Alert
Around 80 people have died in an outbreak of Swine Flu that has hit Mexico over the past few days. Over 1000 people are thought to have been infected with swine flu, with the infections spreading to the US, Britain and other parts of the world. There is worrying news that experts fear the flu could reach pandemic proportions as the infection rate of the disease is thought to be high.
The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak, and many public buildings have been closed in an attempt to contain the swine flu outbreak. In the United States around 20 people have been infected in areas of New York, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and Califonia. Officials fear of the spead of the infection have declared a public emergency so that they can prepare their reponse should their worst fears be recognised.
In Britain, health minister Alan Johnson, says Britain has stockpiles of flu treatment and that the UK is well placed to respond should the infection spread there. Two people, thought to have recently returned from Mexico, have been admitted to hospital in Scotland with symptoms of Swine Flu.
People are most at risk from catching this H1N1 virus, from coughing or sneezing. It is not thought that you can catch it from infected meat. Precautions such as flu masks will help decrease the risk of infection. In Mexico, police officers wearing flu masks were on patrol, in the region where the infections have been high. Symptoms are similar to regular flu, with sore throats, fever and fatigue.
Safety measures include wearing flu masks and monitoring body temperature in order to first detect signs that a person may be infected.
WHO Update on Swine Flu Outbreak
The World Health Organization has posted an update on the outbreak of the flu virus A(H1N1) on their epidemic and pandemic alert website stating that as of today there had been 40 confirmed cases of swine flu infection in the USA, and 26 confirmed cases in Mexico. In the US there has been no reported deaths, whilst the time of the report there have been seven reported deaths in Mexico. Other confirmed cases have been reported in Canada and Spain.
According to the WHO Website, the outbreak of swine flu is ‘evolving rapidly’, and whilst they have not recommended any border closure or international travel restrictions, they have advised people who are unwell to delay international travel. In addition those who have just returned from international travel who are feeling ill are advised to seek out medical attention as soon as possible.
If you require more information and guidance on what precautions you may take to avoid contracting the swine flu, then WHO have guidance notes on their Swine Influenza website.