The potential swine flu pandemic has been on everyone's minds, as the number of cases has been increasing daily.
However, while there is potential for the sporadic number of cases to turn into a worldwide pandemic (global outbreak), there is little reason for Americans to panic... just yet.
First, earlier news reports may be misleading with regards to the actual number of cases of swine flu in Mexico. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ~800 cases are actually pneumonia, of which only 18 cases have been confirmed as swine flu. In fact, while the high number of flu-like cases may appear alarming, one news story indicated that the Mexican government did not find the numbers of cases to be unusual, compared with previous years. In a press conference with the WHO, Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan discussed a need to answer critical questions, "for example, how many of the 800 plus cases of severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization are indeed caused by this new virus, or other causes."
Secondly, no deaths from swine flu have occurred in the U.S. As of today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that there are now 20 confirmed human cases of swine flu i n the U.S. (8 in New York, 7 in California, 2 in Kansas, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Ohio), none of which have resulted in death. Canada has also reported 6 cases, all of which have been mild.
Third, this strain of influenza is susceptible to antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), which are both FDA-approved drugs that reduce the duration of disease.
Fourth, the WHO has not restricted travel or trade because of swine flu. They and the CDC are increasing surveillance over the situation, having declared the current event as a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern". But at the same time, they have stated that "it is too premature at this stage to make those announcements [of border closures and travel advisories] without, first and foremost having a better analysis." In fact, the WHO regularly follows global influenza outbreaks and has an established pandemic preparedness action plan in the event of a real swine flu pandemic.
Finally, while the current flu vaccine does not protect against the current outbreak strain of swine flu, development and production of a new effective vaccine is achievable, although it could take months to produce enough to meet global demands.
Why is the disease wreaking more havoc in Mexico? Well, keep in mind that the vast majority of cases have not been confirmed as swine flu. In addition, parts of Mexico have poor nutrition levels, poor air quality, and poor access to health care, according to one report.
In short, stay on the lookout for symptoms of flu in yourself and your loved ones, and contact your health care provider if you suspect the flu. Continue to practice good hygiene (washing hands frequently, covering your mouth when you cough, etc.). And keep reading the news. But don't panic... yet.
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Seriously…..how many people die each year of the good old regular flu? The last time we actually have a major pandemic was in 1918-1919 when the swine flu ran rampant throughout Europe after WWI. The swine flu in 1976 paniced Americans and more people died from the vaccine given than from the swine flu that never spread. What every happened to the panic that the bird flu caused? Not much….I’d say this is also nothing to worry about…..we are in a country with top rated medical care, not some third world county with poor living conditions and health care.
Thank you for this report. I wonder why none of the TV reports I’ve seen have mentioned the information in the WHO notice? It seems important in terms of keeping people truly informed about this.
Please don’t panic…ever! When one panics, one cannot think…just react. We need to THINK & TAKE COMMON PRECAUTIONS: such as washing hands, sneeze in to one’s shoulder, etc…but please don’t panic.
1918 always gets mentioned. there’s 1957 Asian flu killed two million people. 1968 H3N2 killed up to one million people globally, started Hong Kong
History indicates that flu pandemics tend to occur once every 20 years or so, so we’re due for one. I agree there is no need to panic, but to remain informed. “The new virus has genes from North American swine and avian influenza (info I notice was absent from this article), human influenza, and swine influenza normally found in Asia and Europe”, said Nancy Cox, chief of the CDC’s Influenza Division. The new strain of swine flu has resisted some antiviral drugs. The majority of cases are occurring in adults between 25 and 44 years of age. And the new count in the U.S., as of 1 pm Monday, is 40. There remains no deaths in the U.S.
Earlier as I read this, you had reported that there was only one hospitalization in the US. Has that changed?
My fiance works in a pharmacy, and she said a lot of people have been coming in getting medication for swine flu. I live in Dayton, Ohio.
Apparently, the pharmacist has to speak and deal with them personally, the technicians aren’t allowed.
Thank you for writing this!