| H1N1 Swine Flu Developments | ||
| April 30, 2009 | ||
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In an effort to keep North Texans informed about the H1N1 swine flu virus, Congressman Marchant encourages constituents to learn the facts about the H1N1 flu strain and the measures you can take to prevent infection. H1N1 swine flu must be taken seriously because of its capacity to spread rapidly, so please take the necessary preventative steps and continue to monitor the situation by visiting the informational Web sites provided at the bottom of this page. What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans? The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. How does swine flu spread? Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed? To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing. Can people catch swine flu from eating pork? No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses. What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans? There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses? No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses. What is the government doing to respond? As this flu strain has thus far been responsive to antiviral treatments, U.S. officials have begun releasing some of the 50 million doses of Tamiflu and Relenza from the strategic stockpile in order to treat potential cases when they appear. CDC officials have stated that local deployment of one quarter of the antiviral drug courses will be completed by this weekend. The Administration has called its declaration of a public health emergency a precautionary and logistical move intended to facilitate the rapid deployment of supplies to respond to suspected cases; officials have urged caution, but not panic, in response to the outbreak. What can you do to prevent transmission of the flu? CDC and other officials have advised usual precautions to minimize the further spread of the disease: wash your hands, cover your mouth and hands when coughing or sneezing, discard used tissues, and stay home from work or school when feeling ill. Where can I get further advice? Further information and advice on swine flu can be found at websites of leading health and research organizations. Below please find a list of useful contacts. Local Dallas County Health and Human Services, Pandemic Influenza Tarrant County Public Health, Disease Control and Prevention http://www.tarrantcounty.com/ehealth/cwp/view.asp?A=763&Q=471978 Collin County Public Health, Swine Influenza http://public1.co.collin.tx.us/swineflu/default.aspx State Texas Health and Human Services Commission Texas Education Agency (School Closings) Federal Centers for Disease Control Pandemic Flu Other World Health Organization Dallas Morning News, Flu Coverage www.dallasnews.com/swineflu Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Flu Coverage http://www.star-telegram.com/flu/ ###
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