What do you need to know?

Are you at risk?

How do you protect yourself?

SWINE FLUSWINE FLU

Partnership for Environmental Education and Rural Healthpeer.tamu.edu

Texas A&M University

What is Swine Flu?This strain of flu is

commonly referred to as H1N1 influenza virus.

H1N1 belongs to the Orthomyxoviridae family.

There are three general types of the Influenza virus:Type AType BType C

But, which category does swine flu fall under?

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/images.htm?s_cid=cs_001

Three Categories of Influenza

TYPE AThe most common and

causes the most serious epidemics infecting multiple

species.

Dr. Erskine Palmer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Cause of all flu pandemics and infects mammals & birds• Type A has been isolated from wild birds and can be transmitted to domestic poultry• Outbreak may be caused in humans, however this is rare

Three Categories of Influenza

TYPE BOnly known to infect

humans and seals and evolves slower

than A viruses

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinniped

http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/influenza-b.gif

Three Categories of Influenza

TYPE COnly known to infect

humans and pigs, but is rare

compared to types A & B

Infection by this type can be severe

and can cause local epidemics,

but NOT in humans

http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mhunt/fluC.jpg

More about swine fluAn infection of a host

animal by a swine influenza virus (SIV)

Known SIV strains are influenza C and influenza A viruses (H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, & H2N3)

Swine flu is common in pigs in midwestern US, Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe, China, Taiwan, Japan and other parts of eastern Asia

http://www.webresourcesdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/image/free-vector-world-map.gif

Swine flu outbreaksTransmission of swine influenza virus from pigs to humans is

NOT common and does NOT always cause human influenza!

The meat of animal poses NO risk of transmitting the virus when properly cooked!

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza: chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness

Swine flu outbreaks

The 2009 swine flu outbreak in humans is due to a NEW strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1.This strain contains genes closely related to swine

influenza.As of now, the origin of the strain is unknown.The World Organization for Animal Health reports

this strain has NOT been isolated in pigs.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT!The current outbreak is not the only one in

history (or the worst either)!Let’s take time and examine outbreaks of the

swine flu…

The history of swine flu

19001900

Let us start the influenza history in 1900! The images here show times during the McKinley administration and the 100th anniversary of the White House. The United States was enjoying good

times and growing successfully as a nation!

19181918

A flu pandemic (Spanish flu) spread to nearly every part of the

world! The flu was caused by a deadly Type A strain of H1N1.

The pandemic lasted from March 1918 to June 1920. An estimated

50 to 100 million people worldwide died.

19201920

Scientists have not been able to determine the cause of this

pandemic. This was the first event that showed the disease

influenced pigs and the disease could be transferred between

humans and animals.

This pandemic started in the United States at an Army base

and was also titled as a swine flu outbreak. Luckily for the

nation, this pandemic did not spread. However, this event

began the push for nationwide vaccinations.

President Ford receives a flu shot!

19761976 19981998

Swine flu was found in pigs in four U.S.

states. Within the year, the strain

spread throughout pig populations.

Scientists discovered the strain as a

mutation from the flu strains of birds and humans. However, the strain did not

jump to any humans.

North Carolina

Texas Iowa Minnesota

20092009

This outbreak is due to a NEW strain of H1N1 NOT previously discovered in pigs. The first cases were linked to an outbreak in

Mexico causing farm workers to develop flu-like symptoms. Since May 2nd, several countries have implemented precautionary

measures to minimize pandemic risk!

Currently, the new strain is thought to be a mutation, or re-assortment of 4 known strains of influenza!

The World Health Organization released data on June 10th, 2009:

74 countries have reported 27.737 cases of H1N1 infection

The origin of the swine flu is still a mystery, but WHO believes it may started in Eurasia and mutated in Mexico.

2009 Swine flu outbreak

CountryCountryConfirmConfirm

ed ed CasesCases

DeatDeathshs

WHO WHO TotalsTotals 30,65130,651 146146

MexicoMexico 6,2416,241 108108

United United StatesStates 16,50116,501 5757

CanadaCanada 3,5103,510 44

During a flu outbreak, you should use precaution and prevent chances of becoming sick. Follow these simple guidelines:

CONSIDER THE FLU VACCINEThe CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine, especially for people at

high risk (young children, pregnant women, senior citizens).TAKE EVERDAY PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Wash your hands often with soap and water.Avoid close contact with sick peopleAvoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

TAKE FLU ANTIVIRAL DRUGS IF YOUR DOCTOR RECOMMENDS THEM.This is a primary treatment option and are prescription medicines.

Preventing the FLU!