Swine influenza (also swine flu, hog flu,[1] and pig flu[1]) refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV).[1]
Of the three genera of human flu, two are endemic also in swine: Influenzavirus A is common and Influenzavirus C is rare.[2] Influenzavirus B has not been reported in swine. Within Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus C, the strains endemic to swine and humans are largely distinct.
Swine flu is common in swine in the midwestern United States (and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe (including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, China, Japan, Taiwan, and other parts of eastern Asia.[1]
Swine flu is rare in humans. People who work with swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine influenza if the swine carry a strain able to infect humans. However, these strains infrequently circulate between humans as SIV rarely mutates into a form able to pass easily from human to human. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.
The new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) involved in the 2009 flu outbreak in humans is a reassortment of several strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that are, separately, endemic in humans, endemic in birds, and endemic in swine. Preliminary genetic characterization found that the hemagglutinin (HA) gene was similar to that of swine flu viruses present in United States pigs since 1999, but the neuraminidase (NA) and matrix protein (M) genes resembled versions present in European swine flu isolates. Viruses with this genetic makeup had not previously been found to be circulating in humans or pigs, but there is no formal national surveillance system to determine what viruses are circulating in pigs in the United States.[55] The origins of this new strain remain unknown.
2009 flu outbreak:
The earliest confirmed case in Mexico occurred in La Gloria, Veracruz.[56]. Residents of La Gloria have long complained about the clouds of flies that are drawn to the so-called 'manure lagoons' created by such mega-farms.[57] While a large percentage of residents fell ill before the test was developed for the novel flu virus, only one of the available samples when rechecked proved to be positive.
The current strain of swine flu can spread more efficiently human-to-human than previously known swine H1N1 strains. After its initial detection in the U.S. and Mexico, it was soon detected in a number of patients in several countries who had travelled to Mexico. By April 30, except in the southern U.S., transmission to individuals who had not travelled to Mexico had occurred in only a small number of individuals in close contact with someone who had. The new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) is currently listed by the United States and World Health Organization as a Phase 5 pandemic virus
What are you thoughts and concerns with this? Are you worried about it?
Last edited by Zoe Weasley on Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:05 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza]Swine Flu Info[/url])
by Guest Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:00 pm
