H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update

7/6/09
The pandemic alert level of the novel influenza A (H1N1) was raised on June 11th to phase 6. That was done because of the ongoing spread of the bug, and it means that a global pandemic is occurring.

That is not as scary as it sounds. Pandemic in simple terms means widespread. In other words, the common cold can always be termed a pandemic.

There are now more than 70 countries where cases have been found. It was previously believed that travelers were the cause of the spread of this illness, but now there are continuing outbreaks in communities throughout the world. That's why the upgrade to pandemic alert.

For the most part, people in the U.S. who have contracted this flu, have had mild cases and have recovered without medical treatment.

The first U.S. patient infected with this virus was detected on April 15, 2009. By June 3rd all 50 states plus Puerto Rico & the District of Columbia reported cases.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has now isolated the new H1N1 virus and is working with industries to begin the process of preparing to produce a vaccine, if necessary.

A watchful eye will be kept on the progress & severity of H1N1 in the southern hemisphere. From May to September are their autumn & winter seasons. That is when influenza is at its height there. (It strikes from November to March in the northern hemisphere.) No one as yet seems to know why flu hits hardest in cold weather.

July 3rd issue of "Science" published that two groups infected ferrets with the new pandemic strain. They found this virus a bit more severe than seasonal flu, but far from the seriousness of the 1918 pandemic avian flu.

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5/12/09
As of today at 11:00 AM ET, there are now in the U.S., 3,009 lab confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu infection. It is found in 45 states with 3 deaths reported. -WHO

The latest update is that a new virus has emerged called Novel influenza A (H1N1)

This according to CDC, is a new flu virus of swine origin, first detected in April, 2009. This virus is infecting people, is spreading, and is causing a new outbreak of illness in the U.S. as well as worldwide.

Because the population has little or no immunity against it, CDC predicts this virus will cause more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths.

They report in the first week of May, there was a higher number of people seeing their physicians with flu-like symptoms than usually occurs this time of year.

Also, lab data indicates that regular seasonal influenza A (H1N1), (H3N2) and influenza B viruses are still circulating in the U.S., but it is the novel influenza A (H1N1) and "unsubtypable" viruses that now account for a significant number of the viruses detected.-CDC

HIGH-RISK GROUPS:

At this time, a person who is at high risk for complications of novel influenza (H1N1) virus infection, is the same as for seasonal influenza:

> Children younger than 5 years old. The risk for severe complications from seasonal
influenza is highest among children younger than 2 years of age.

> Adults 65 years of age and older.

> Persons with the following conditions:

* Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), neurological, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)

* Immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV

* Pregnant women

* Persons younger than 19 years of age who are taking aspirin long term

* Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
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WHAT IS AN EPIDEMIC?

> 108,000 Deaths each year from hospital drug reactions
> 350,000 Deaths each year from prescription drugs in Nursing Homes
> 61,000 cases of Parkinson's each year directly attributed to prescription drugs
> Aspirin kills 5-6 people EVERY DAY in the U.S. alone
> 104,000 Deaths each year fro UNNECESSARY surgery
> 100,000 Deaths each year from hospital acquired infections
> 10,000 Deaths each year from standard medical testing
> 30,000 Deaths each year from over the counter drugs like Advil, Tylenol, etc.
> Overall, about 1,000,000 deaths each year from standard medical intervention, mostly
drug-related, including 6,800 child deaths due to vaccination
> 3009 cases of H1N1 (Swine Flu) in the U.S., THREE deaths (An epidemic?)

These facts kind of puts it all into perspective!

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5/5/09
As of yesterday, the number of confirmed cases of Swine Flu in the U.S. have risen, but officials state that it is not a new outbreak, but rather they have caught up with their backlog of lab tests. There are now 286 confirmed cases in 36 states.

GOOD NEWS:
>The severity of the illness is similar to seasonal flu
>Some of the factors seen in the more severe diseases from previous pandemics, are missing.
>Testing is being done faster now that all states have the kits
>Mexico, believed to be the source of the Swine Flu outbreak and hardest hit with 25 deaths, is now reporting that new cases of the disease are decreasing. They are now slowly allowing the reopening of public places with the elementary schools scheduled to be the last to open.

Although we are now experiencing a breather in the situation, doctors warn that the illness could return in the fall when flu usually occurs, with a much stronger punch. They are keeping an eye out on countries in the southern hemisphere where winter is approaching. They surmise that what occurs there will be an indication of what we can expect here in the regular flu season.

To date in the U.S., we still have the one death, a 2 year old Mexican boy visiting our country for medical attention.

On Saturday, there was a report that for the first time pigs in Alberta, Canada have come down with the current Swine Flu. A worker on the farm visited Mexico, and brought the disease back. It's very unusual because it's typically the other way around...the pigs infect humans.

WHO continues to stress that consuming pork cannot cause Swine Flu (H1N1.)

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5/2/09
Influenza A (H1N1) was formerly called Swine Flu. It's the same disease.

The reason for the change is that China, Kazakhstan, The Philippines, Thailand, Ukraine and The United Arab Emirates have all banned meat and pork products from some parts of the U.S. (Office of U.S. Trade)

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to stress the fact that people cannot contract this disease from eating pork. Furthermore, they state that not one pig has been found harboring this virus.

This was a huge monetary loss for the U.S. meat industry, hence the name change.

HOW H1N1 DAMAGES CELLS

Flu strains are named for the H and N proteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which stick out from the surface of the virus like spikes.

These protein spikes allow influenza to infect and damage cells and are what the immune system recognizes.

The hemagglutinin spike allows the virus to bind to and enter cells. After co-opting the cells' molecular machinery to produce more viruses, the neuraminidase spike is used to escape the cell, destroying it in the process. (FAS-Federation of American Scientists)

RAMIFICATIONS OF H1N1

President Obama appears to be on top of the situation. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has sent supplies to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak.

Also, the Federal Government and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine against the new virus.

At this point in time, (5/2/09) there are 160 cases of H1N1 throughout the country, and 1 death. It appears that we have a milder strain of H1N1 than Mexico where the outbreak is more widespread and they have had many fatalities.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY HEALTHY

> Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.

> Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

> Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

> Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

> Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

> Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

> Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

> Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, face masks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies. (CDC)

> It's important to maintain a healthy immune system.

And from President Obama:

"The key now I think is to make sure that we are maintaining great vigilance, that everybody responds appropriately when cases do come up. And individual families start taking very sensible precautions that can make a huge difference. So wash your hands when you shake hands. Cover your mouth when you cough. I know it sounds trivial, but it makes a huge difference. If you are sick, stay home. If your child is sick, keep them out of school. If you are feeling c