You have probably heard a lot about the term “phase” of the pandemic alert issued by the World Health Organization lately. But, do you know the actual meaning of it and the definition associated with each phase? Perhaps you may have asked questions such as
l The actual number of phases in the pandemic influenza warning
l The meaning of each phase in the pandemic influenza warning
As defined by the World Health Organization, there are 6 phases following by “Post Peak” and “Post Pandemic” respectively.
Generally speaking, phases 1 to 3 indicate that the pandemic is predominantly animal infections and there are few human infections.
Up one level is Phase 4 indicating that the situation has become worsen, sustaining that the virus can transmit from human to human causing community level outbreaks.
Phases 5 to 6 indicate that there will be widespread of the virus with multiple human infections. Phase 6 indicates that the situation is very serious and a world-wide pandemic is under way. On the other hand, a strong signal of a pandemic is imminent when the warning of phase 5 is issued.
Post-peak period means that although there appears to be a decrease of pandemic activities, there is a possibility of recurrent events and a second wave may be coming.
In Post-pandemic period, the influenza disease becomes seasonal and the virus will return at a specific season. Surveillance of the virus is of utmost important.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Escalation of the Swine Influenza Pandemic
The continuation of the spreading of the swine flu in the United States following by the first case of death of a 2-year old boy who had recently visited Mexico prompting President Barack Obama to call the outbreak of swine flu a “serious situation” which required the “utmost precautions”.
In view of the development, an urgent meeting was held again by the World Health Organization in Geneva to discuss the seriousness of the current situation. After evaluating the data and latest development around the world, Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General has raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, indicating that every country in the world should remain high alert and detect any unusual cases of influenza-like illness and pneumonia immediately as the H1N1 virus could have the capacity to spread through each country quickly in addition to possessing the ability to mutate rapidly.
As of April 30, 2009, the effect of swine flu has been mild in the United States while comparing with the situation in Mexico, where swine flu had killed more than 150 people and sickening over 2,000. There were 91 cases of laboratory confirmed cases, 1 in Arizona, 14 in California, 1 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 2 in Massachusetts, 2 in Michigan, 1 in Nevada, 51 in New York, 1 in Ohio and 16 in Texas including 1 death. As the swine flu virus is relatively new and many people do not have immunity to the virus, medical professionals expect that the H1N1 virus will continue to spread with more cases of deaths in the coming weeks.
In view of the development, an urgent meeting was held again by the World Health Organization in Geneva to discuss the seriousness of the current situation. After evaluating the data and latest development around the world, Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General has raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, indicating that every country in the world should remain high alert and detect any unusual cases of influenza-like illness and pneumonia immediately as the H1N1 virus could have the capacity to spread through each country quickly in addition to possessing the ability to mutate rapidly.
As of April 30, 2009, the effect of swine flu has been mild in the United States while comparing with the situation in Mexico, where swine flu had killed more than 150 people and sickening over 2,000. There were 91 cases of laboratory confirmed cases, 1 in Arizona, 14 in California, 1 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 2 in Massachusetts, 2 in Michigan, 1 in Nevada, 51 in New York, 1 in Ohio and 16 in Texas including 1 death. As the swine flu virus is relatively new and many people do not have immunity to the virus, medical professionals expect that the H1N1 virus will continue to spread with more cases of deaths in the coming weeks.
How can we stay away from the Swine Flu Virus?
Although swine influenza is highly contagious, there are certain procedures that you can take to keep yourselves away from the virus. At this time, it is best for everyone to go trough a little trouble to ensure the safety of others. For example, it is advised that you should
cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands with soap thoroughly after to avoid the spreading of the germs.
· wash your hands frequently with soap or alcohol-based hands cleaners, especially after you share common equipment and touch public facilities.
· avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, especially after you touch any public facilities including elevator buttons and public rest rooms facilities. As the major way for spreading influenza is through aerosol and body fluid including even tears, you should wear a mask if you are sick and develop with upper respiratory symptoms. If you are sick with fever, you are advised to stay home and stay away from the crowd and also consul a doctor immediately.
cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands with soap thoroughly after to avoid the spreading of the germs.
· wash your hands frequently with soap or alcohol-based hands cleaners, especially after you share common equipment and touch public facilities.
· avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, especially after you touch any public facilities including elevator buttons and public rest rooms facilities. As the major way for spreading influenza is through aerosol and body fluid including even tears, you should wear a mask if you are sick and develop with upper respiratory symptoms. If you are sick with fever, you are advised to stay home and stay away from the crowd and also consul a doctor immediately.
What is Swine Influenza?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a highly contagious respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza. The swine influenza virus (SIV) is very common in pigs and can cause outbreaks of influenza during the cool seasons usually in fall and winter. However, SIV is not common in humans. On the other hand, if people work in a place where they need to have a close contact with swine, they are at a high risk to get infected if the virus carries a strain which can infect human. Furthermore, the SIV can mutate into a different form which can transmit from human to human. The outbreak of swine flu in 2009 was an exact situation which was the mutation of the swine flu virus and the result could be multiple human infections. Also, evidence indicated that swine flu virus could be transmitted from the patients to health care workers who had close contact with them.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Swine Flu is Spreading
The Swine Flu virus seems to have no sign of stopping and is spreading across the Atlantic to Europe and moving onwards. Asia is expected to get hit by swine flu soon. The latest statistics indicated that 64 laboratory cases have been confirmed swine flu in the United States with no deaths, 26 confirmed cases of infection including 7 deaths in Mexico, 6 in Canada, 3 in New Zealand, 2 in United Kingdom, 2 in Israel and 2 in Spain and all with no deaths..
New York, where was a hard hit area by swine flu had 45 laboratory confirmed cases alone according to the latest figure of Centers for disease Control and Prevention in the United States. The bad news was that the outbreak of (H1N1) in New York might have spread from one school to another in New York City, probably bringing the infected number up even more.
Although the disease is related to pig, officials from the World Health Organization advised that there is no risk of infection from the virus from consumption of well-cooked pork. People should stay calm and not to be over react to the current situation. Also, medical professionals advised that people should not take Tamiflu unnecessarily and use it only under the prescription of a doctor.
New York, where was a hard hit area by swine flu had 45 laboratory confirmed cases alone according to the latest figure of Centers for disease Control and Prevention in the United States. The bad news was that the outbreak of (H1N1) in New York might have spread from one school to another in New York City, probably bringing the infected number up even more.
Although the disease is related to pig, officials from the World Health Organization advised that there is no risk of infection from the virus from consumption of well-cooked pork. People should stay calm and not to be over react to the current situation. Also, medical professionals advised that people should not take Tamiflu unnecessarily and use it only under the prescription of a doctor.
Swine Influenza – The Latest
The updated information indicated that the Swine flu has become worse and an urgent which was the second meeting was held by the Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization on April 27, 2009 to discuss the latest situation.
The Director-General had raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 3 to 4 indicating that the situation has become worsened and the disease would sustain human to human transmission, meaning that everyone in the world including the uninfected areas should be high alert of the situation and taking every necessary precaution to protect oneself from the swine flu virus because the likelihood of a pandemic has increased.
It was also noted that international travelers must take extra precaution when travelling to the United States, Canada and especially Mexico where the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus was originated. As of April 27, 2009, it was reported that the suspected death toll from swine flu escalating to 149 people and close to 2,000 people have been hospitalized with serious cases of pneumonia in Mexico. While the number was indeed shocking, one would be equally shocking to hear that the actual number of confirmed cases of swine flu was still unknown by the Government of Mexico. As of April 27, 2009, it was reported that there were 18 laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu virus in Mexico.
Giving the rising death toll, the government of Mexico is now urging for the decision to close all schools nationwide and restricts large gatherings in the public which will further damage the already gloomy economy in Mexico.
Nevertheless, international travelers are warned by each individual country at this time not to travel to Mexico unless it is absolutely necessary as some expect that the worst is yet to come.
The Director-General had raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 3 to 4 indicating that the situation has become worsened and the disease would sustain human to human transmission, meaning that everyone in the world including the uninfected areas should be high alert of the situation and taking every necessary precaution to protect oneself from the swine flu virus because the likelihood of a pandemic has increased.
It was also noted that international travelers must take extra precaution when travelling to the United States, Canada and especially Mexico where the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus was originated. As of April 27, 2009, it was reported that the suspected death toll from swine flu escalating to 149 people and close to 2,000 people have been hospitalized with serious cases of pneumonia in Mexico. While the number was indeed shocking, one would be equally shocking to hear that the actual number of confirmed cases of swine flu was still unknown by the Government of Mexico. As of April 27, 2009, it was reported that there were 18 laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu virus in Mexico.
Giving the rising death toll, the government of Mexico is now urging for the decision to close all schools nationwide and restricts large gatherings in the public which will further damage the already gloomy economy in Mexico.
Nevertheless, international travelers are warned by each individual country at this time not to travel to Mexico unless it is absolutely necessary as some expect that the worst is yet to come.
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