As the number of swine flu cases continue to grow in the U.S. and internationally, Dr. Richard Besser, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said now is the time for businesses, communities, faith-based organizations and families to think about how they would function in the event of a pandemic outbreak of swine flu.
“There’s been tremendous planning that’s been going on around the country over the past number of years,” Besser said.
“Hopefully this outbreak would not progress, but leaning forward and thinking about what you would do is one of the most important things individuals and communities can undertake right now.”
Pandemic preparation previously centered on the threat from an avian flu virus (H5N1) jumping from infecting birds to infecting humans.
Now joint international efforts are underway to prevent H1N1 influenza A, the new strain of the swine flu, from reaching pandemic proportions. This new strain is considered unique due to genetic origins from both pigs and birds, and it can be transmitted readily from human to human.
Mexico is the epicenter for this outbreak, where at least 1,600 people have been affected, resulting in at least 159 deaths. Monday, the U.S. issued a travel advisory, recommending all non-essential travel to Mexico be avoided.
The World Health Organization reports at least 105 swine flu cases worldwide, including Mexico, the U.S., New Zealand, Canada, Spain, Israel and the United Kingdom. WHO raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 4, which means there are confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus which is able to cause “community-level” outbreaks. Germany and Austria also confirmed swine flu cases.
The U.S. has at least 64 confirmed swine flu cases with one death reported in the border state of Texas. The government released a quarter of the nation’s antiviral stockpiles to treat potential new cases – 11 million treatment courses are going to known affected states New York, California, Texas, Ohio and Kansas as well as other states.
Last Friday, the state of Missouri sent a health alert to the medical community regarding procedures for testing persons with flu-like symptoms. Specimens will be sent to the state for testing.
“We have the ability to type it – whether it is flu or something else,” Kit Wagar, spokesman for the Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services, said.
Wagar said state officials are testing a couple dozen specimens thus far. There are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Missouri.
The state has 600,000 antiviral treatments stockpiled and requested additional doses from the strategic national reserve.
“We’re talking tens of thousands of doses to have on hand,” Wagar said, in addition to the normal supply in clinics and doctors offices.
“Missourians should know that people, plans and protections are in place to do everything possible to prevent the spread of swine flu in our state,” Governor Jay Nixon said.
In addition to additional doses of medicine, surgical masks and enhanced medical masks are being supplied for health workers and others who could have repeated exposure. However, the use of masks by the public is considered premature at this point.
“The evidence of their value outside of healthcare settings and outside of settings where you are coming direct face-to-face with someone who has an infectious disease – the evidence there is not very strong,” Besser said.
Over the weekend, the CDC declared a Public Health Emergency to act aggressively against the swine flu outbreak. Besser said the declaration is not cause for alarm. It gives the government additional authority to operate faster.
“It allows us to move products and dispense drugs in a way we couldn’t before and streamlined the process by which the government works and so it’s primarily a reflection of that,” Besser said.
“It’s something that we do whenever we feel that we want to have the ability to move quickly and swiftly.”
The Defense Dept. has stockpiles of Relenza and Tamiflu available to protect the military population, along with contingency plans in the event of a greater health crisis.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of influenza medicines by public health and medical personnel and diagnostic and therapeutic tools to identify and respond to the swine flu virus.
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture already monitors animal health and has a surveillance system to do so.
“It is important to remember that not only have there been no reports of this virus in swine, according to scientists at USDA, swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food so a person cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products,” said U.S. Secretary Of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
“In fact, cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all viruses and other food-borne pathogens. Eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products is safe.”
Homeland Security is closely is coordinating with the Department of Health and Human Services and with the CDC to monitor the situation.
Swine flu virus fast facts
? This new strain of swine influenza virus has genetic origins from both pigs and birds, and can be transmitted readily from human to human
? The strain has caused deaths/severe illnesses in Mexico
? Swine flu is contracted mainly through coughing and sneezing
? Swine flu cannot be contracted by eating pork
? The new strain is receptive to antiviral medicines oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza)
? Milder cases are reported in California, Mexico, Kansas, Ohio and New York based on testing and not new outbreaks. At least five hospitalizations and one death reported
? Outbreaks were first seen in late March and April
? H1N1 is striking younger, seemingly healthy persons
? No cases have been reported in Missouri, Illinois
? As additional testing continues, more cases are expected
? Because it first appeared near the end of flu season, an outbreak is expected to reemerge in the fall with the next flu season
Swine flu symptoms
Although some have reported diarrhea and vomiting with the strain, symptoms are similar to most flu symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache/body aches and fatigue. Health officials advise seeking medical attention immediately if you develop flu-like illness.
The only way to tell if a person has swine flu is though laboratory testing of a respiratory specimen taken within the first few days of the illness. The specimen would then be sent to the CDC.
Staying healthy
Federal, state and local health officials stress the personal responsibility of individuals in taking steps that are crucial to limiting the spread of the flu.
Influenza is most easily spread by airborne droplets that come in contact another person’s mucus membranes (i.e., the nose or eyes) when someone coughs or sneezes in our faces. The best ways to diminish the spread of germs and disease include:
? Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and warm water; alcohol-based gel sanitizers are also effective
? Covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough; cough away from other people and throw any tissue away after use
? If you have to cough in your hand, wash your hands immediately
? Staying at home from school or work when you are feverish and sick and limit contact with others
? Avoiding close contact with sick persons
? Avoid spreading germs through touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Health officials say touching objects or hands are inefficient ways for the flu to spread because the virus survives only a few minutes on these surfaces.
The report “Pandemic Flu: preparing before it’s too late” appeared in the January 1, 2009 issue of Your Health Matters in the St. Louis American. Find it at using the advanced search tab at www.stlamerican.com.
Checklists, supply lists and tips for pandemic preparation for home and businesses can be found at www.redcrossstl.org, www.pandemicprep.org or www.pandemicflu.gov.
Swine flu updates can be found at the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu.