How to protect yourself and your family from the threat of swine flu
As this issue goes out there is a worldwide warning from the World Health Organization regarding the threat of Swine Flu, calling it “a public health emergency of international concern”. Currently Australia has 114 people being tested, with those results to be known soon. Thermal scanners, used to detect travellers with elevated body temperatures suggestive of fever, were turned on last night at all of Australia’s international airports.
New Zealand has at least 40 people in isolation, Mexico has had over 1600 suspected cases, Canada: 13 confirmed cases, USA: 65 confirmed cases, Costa Rica: 1 confirmed case, Spain: 2 confirmed cases, Scotland: 2 confirmed cases, and Israel: 2 confirmed cases.
Swine influenza, called ‘swine flu’, is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease originating in pigs. Outbreaks in pigs happen year round, with more cases in autumn and winter. Most farmers give their pig herds yearly flu shots to protect them from it.
Sometimes the disease crosses the species barrier to infect people, as in the current case that has been identified as originating with an American-owned pig processing plant near Mexico City where it was the handlers who first got sick.
Recent visitors to Mexico or other areas that have outbreaks need to be particularly vigilant about their health status and report to their GP if they have symptoms. Most of the people with swine flu have recovered fully from the disease after only a mild case.
It is now very likely to spread throughout the world as travellers to these areas return to their countries of origin, not realising they are carrying the disease. Mexican authorities have confirmed about 150 deaths, so far. Australian authorities are asking people to carefully reconsider any plans they have for travel to Mexico.
Health officers are advising people to be aware of the risk, and to be extra vigilant by frequently washing your hands, observing good hygiene by covering your mouth when sneezing and coughing, and lastly by staying home from work when you are sick so that you do not contaminate other people. It is remarkable how many adults apparently do not know enough to do these basic things, but it is especially important at this time.
Thorough hand washing is proven effective as a way to reduce transmission of disease but people are either reluctant to either view themselves as dirty, or to bother finding a place to wash. In any case, human hands are the main culprit for spreading disease from human to human. Eating pork does not infect people and cooking pork properly kills the virus as well as other bacteria, advises the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA.
Some public health experts think Australians should be wearing facemasks anywhere that is crowded, such as on public transport, or in queues. No one seems to be taking that step yet. It may also be prudent to follow the government’s emergency plan advice to stock pantries with drinks, 3 litres of water for each person each day for 14 days, dried and long-life food such as canned meals, toilet paper, batteries, candles, matches, manual can openers and water sterilising tablets. Analgesics, masks, gloves, a thermometer, disinfectant and prescription medications should also be stockpiled so that people should have enough supplies to stay in their homes for 14 days if they do happen to become ill.
Swine Flu symptoms are very like the symptoms of regular flu with fever, cough, lethargy, lack of appetite, sore throat, runny nose, etc. It can also be carried and passed on by people who do not have any symptoms. This is a new strain so the current flu shots offer little or no protection.
However, medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) can help if they are used early enough. These anti-viral drugs are available through pharmacies, and are also stockpiled in case of national emergency.
Public health experts will tell you that every outbreak of disease is unpredictable but that there has not been a flu pandemic for more than a generation. There has not been a bad one since before air travel became common. In other words, with no ‘herd immunity’ in the current population, and the capability of being transported to all countries of the world within hours, the potential is certainly there for a serious situation to develop, and the authorities worldwide are preparing for an appropriate level of response if a pandemic does eventuate.
By being proactive, reducing your chance of exposure by avoiding people who are sick, and going to your GP right away if you do get the flu so that it can be tested, identified, treated and contained, you will be helping the authorities with their surveillance and control of Swine Flu in Australia.
