Safety Update

Safety Update: Swine Flu (H1N1)

The latest concern in Canada regarding communicable disease has been the H1N1 virus better known as the swine flu. The H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal influenza. Swine influenza viruses do not normally infect humans, however, from time to time human infections may occur resulting in the H1N1 flu virus. Below are some resources and information regarding the H1N1 flu to invoke awareness and establish preventative measures in combating this latest biological hazard.

Symptoms

Symptoms are very much the same as any type of influenza to include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and lack of appetite.

Transmission

Sometimes, humans and animals can pass strains of flu back and forth to one another through direct close contact. When H1N1 affects a human, there is also a risk that the animal influenza can mutate and then spread directly between humans.

Pandemic

Pandemic influenza is defined as a new influenza virus that spreads easily between humans and affects a wide geographic area. More research is required to determine how easily this virus spreads from human to human.

Vaccines

Currently, Canada has a plan for a vaccine to be produced domestically if a pandemic occurs, which will take about six months once the virus is identified. Enough pandemic vaccine will be produced to cover all Canadians. It is unlikely at this time that the seasonal flu shot will provide protection against H1N1.

Prevention

• Wash your hands often with warm soapy water and dry them well with a clean dry towel,
• Cough and sneeze in your arm, not your hand,
• Keep surfaces and items clean and disinfected,
• Stay home if you are ill as to not pass on the virus; and
• Antivirals may be used if H1N1 is suspected. Antivirals are drugs used for the prevention and early treatment of influenza. Two antivirals that appear to be effective in treating this illness are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Interesting and helpful links:

• Official Sources
  • World Health Organization H1N1 page
  • CDC H1N1 page
  • Public Health Agency of Canada H1N1
• Flu News Aggregators
  • NewsNow Mexico Flu Outbreak
  • NewsNow Bird Flu
  • Google News: Swine Flu
  • Alltop Swine Flu News
  • World Tackles Influenza A(H1N1)
• Technical Sources
  • CIDRAP Novel H1N1 Influenza
  • ProMED-Mail
• Tracking the Flu
  • EMERGEO

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