Pandemic Flu
Important Information You Should Know.
April 30, 2009
Pandemic Flu
What is a pandemic disease?
It is an outbreak of an infectious disease that affects people over an extensive geographical area. The pandemic flu that has been most recently in the news has also been called the "Swine Flu".
So What is this Swine Flu?
According to the CDC, swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. Swine Flu normally does not infect humans . However, in most recent news, positive cases of swine flu have been reported in humans in several parts of the world. An apparent origin of this animal to human spread virus has been linked to Mexico where several deaths from the swine flu have been reported.
What are the facts?
The U.S. government is actively preparing and they will attempt to contain any potential outbreaks. School districts have been asked to have plans in place to deal with this situation if it should occur. USD 415 has been actively planning for such an occurrence, and feels that every effort is being made to take a proactive approach in preparing for a pandemic in our area. In order to assist the public health department, schools are monitoring and reporting symptoms of ill students. In the event that a cluster of "flu-like" symptoms are noticed among students/staff, public health officials will be notified.
As it has been reported in the news, humans have tested positive for swine flu in several countries, and reported cases in the United States as well. There is no way to completely stop a flu pandemic; however, the government is working with schools and the public to hopefully keep the death rate low. One of their main efforts will be the development of a vaccine.
Administrative and nursing staff will encourage students and staff to follow proper and thorough hygiene practices: good hand washing, cough or sneeze into your elbow, eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water, get adequate rest and exercise, stay home when you are sick. Reliable web sites with additional information are also being made available.
If you have concerns about your health or the health of your child, you are encouraged to seek advice from you family physician immediately.
How is Swine Flu Transmitted?
The CDC states that influenza can be transferred from pigs to people and people to pigs. Humans are most likely to be infected through animal to human transmission when they are in close proximity to infected pigs: pig barns, livestock exhibits, county fairs. Swine flu can be transmitted from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, or touching an infected area and then touching your mouth/nose. Swine flu is not transmitted by pork products that are properly handled and cooked.
As reported by CDC, it is believed the origin of this disease has started in Mexico, now with several reported cases of human-to-human transmission in at least a half dozen different countries.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are typical of the common flu but can vary from person to person. They can also vary because of different routes the infection takes to get to humans.
The early signs are aching muscles and joints, sore throat, fever, chills, headache, coughing, sneezing and lack of energy. Some humans infected with swine flu have reported extreme lethargy, lack of appetite, runny nose, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea as well.
As we learn more about the specifics of a flu virus and its potential to become a pandemic, we will understand its characteristic symptoms and be able to alert people to these particular patterns. That is why it is important that you keep up to date about swine and other flu information.
Please see below for important links regarding swine/pandemic flu.
