Wearing a mask in public places is recomended

Health Warning

Swine Flu now in 9 countries, pandemic alert raised to phase 5

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 April, 2009 : - - As of 18:00 GMT, 29 April 2009, nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 91 laboratory confirmed human cases, with one death. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and the United Kingdom (5). Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.

WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.

There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.

Swine influenza web site  - Daily updates will be posted on this site.

Washing hands thoroughly is highly recomended

Swine Flu signs, symptoms and safety precautions

While health officials are asking people not to panic -- declaring a public health emergency kinda makes it hard not to be seriously concerned. The first thing people want to know is, what do we do?

It may be wise just to prepare yourself and take some simple precautions to stay free from what is really close to being a global epidemic.

Swine Flu Signs and Symptoms
 
Symptoms of swine flu are nearly identical to the symptoms of other influenza, including high fever, aches, coughing and congestion. It is spreading by human to human contact. No cases of infection from pigs have been confirmed. And although Russia and some other countries have banned imports of pork from Mexico, there is absolutely no evidence that it can be transmitted by eating meat, says Dr. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director general of the World Health Organization.

Taking Precautions
 
The most important thing you can do to avoid the swine flu is to keep your hands clean. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer around wherever you go. Be sure and wash your hands after touching any items such as doorknobs, hand rails and bathroom fixtures.
 
Avoid public places where people may be coming in and out from other cities. Bus terminals, airports and train stations should all be avoided if the swine flu is discovered in your region.

Should a major outbreak occur, purchase breathing masks and wear them any time while out in public. Be sure and purchase masks for your children and family as well.

Purchase supplements that provide support for your immune system. While there is no guarantee that supplements will protect you, should you catch the swine flu virus, your immune system will need all the help it can can get.

Facts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:

• Swine flu viruses typically sicken pigs, not humans. Most cases occur when people come in contact with infected pigs or contaminated objects moving from people to pigs.

• Pigs can catch human and avian or bird flu. When flu viruses from different species infect pigs, they can mix inside the pig and new, mixed viruses can emerge.
 
• Pigs can pass mutated viruses back to humans and they can be passed from human to human. Transmission among humans is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu - by touching something with flu viruses and then touching their mouth or nose, and through coughing or sneezing.

• Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of seasonal influenza - sudden fever, coughing, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. This new strain also appears to cause more diarrhea and vomiting than normal flu.

• Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu although the CDC is formulating one. The seasonal influenza vaccine may help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses, like the one circulating now.

• People cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

More info www.who.int 

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