What is H1N1 Flu?

H1N1 Influenza A, or “swine flu”, is a new form of influenza caused by a mixture of Influenza A viruses from pigs, birds and humans. It was first identified in Mexico but has since spread to many countries in the world.

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are similar to seasonal flu - sudden fever (over 38ºC) and cough, sore throat, headache, generalised aches and pains and shortness of breath although vomiting and diarrhoea may also be present. Young people are being affected more than older people.

How is this H1N1 flu spread?
It is spread from person to person in the same way seasonal flu spreads: through droplets released when a person coughs, sneezes or talks. If these get into a healthy person's nose or mouth, the person can get infected. Sometimes people get infected when they touch an object with flu virus on it, then touch their mouth
or nose. Flu viruses can live on shared objects (doorknobs, keyboards, counters, etc.) for up to 48 hours. They can live on clothes or materials for up to 12 hours.

What drugs are available for treatment?
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza) are currently effective in treating the illness. However, so far, most cases have been mild and have not required treatment with antiviral medication

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?
Yes. H1N1 influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork or other products derived from pigs. The H1N1 influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F/70°C.
Is there a human vaccine to protect from swine influenza?
Vaccines have been developed that protect against the H1N1 “swine” Influenza. It is to be hoped that all Embassy people will be protected from the disease by being immunized.

What can be done to reduce the risk of catching flu? (Risk Reduction Measures)
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard into a bin. Use upper sleeve if tissue not available.
• Be aware of viruses possibly living on shared surfaces e.g. door knobs, lift buttons, microwaves etc – clean them frequently with soap and water, detergent or alcohol. This will kill the H1N1 influenza virus.
• Wear gloves when cleaning shared items, discard after use and wash hands.
• Wash hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly.
• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and diarrhoea / vomiting.
• Practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food and keeping physically active.

What preparations can be made at home now?
Keep stocks of items such as:
• Thermometer – the diagnosis of H1N1 Flu includes a temperature recorded above 38ºC.
• Tissues and soap or medicated alcohol based hand gel.
• Medications: Paracetamol, throat lozenges, decongestants.
• Food supplies for one week in case household members require home isolation.
• Masks, if available

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Swine INFLUENZA

H1N1 INFLUENZA

“Swine Flu ” or “H1N1 Influenza A” is a new type of influenza (subtype H1N1) believed to have formed from a mixture of pig, bird and human virus. It is easy to catch from other humans and can cause serious illness or even death. Those most affected range from ages 15 – 50. 

How can I avoid catching Influenza if a pandemic occurs?

Droplets containing virus are spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. 
- Use a disposable tissue to cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.  
- If tissue is not available, cover nose and mouth with upper sleeve. 
DO NOT USE HANDS.  
- Wash Hands after covering a cough or sneeze. 
- Dispose of used tissues immediately in waste receptacle

You can catch the disease if someone coughs on you, or if you touch a surface which an infected person has coughed on and then touch your mouth
- Wash your hands frequently and carefully 
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands 
- Don’t shake hands or kiss friends

The virus lives for 48 hours on hard surfaces such as tables, taps, door handles, and lift buttons. Soap & water, alcohol and disinfectants all kill the virus.  
- Clean hard surfaces frequently  
- If touching communal items clean before use or use a tissue  
- Clean shared equipment very carefully before use

Cough particles can travel up to 1 metre. A person can be infectious before developing symptoms 
- Consider everyone as infectious 
- Avoid public places. If unavoidable wear a fully covered mask. 
- Avoid close contact with sick people. 
- If sick with influenza, stay home and keep away from others. Wear surgical mask if contact is unavoidable

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H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)

H1N1 Influenza (‘Swine Flu’)

What is H1N1 Flu?

H1N1 Influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Outbreaks in pigs occur throughout the year. Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix. This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a "reassortant" virus. This sometimes crosses the species barrier to cause disease in humans.

How is this H1N1 flu spreading?

It is most likely spreading from person to person in the same way other flu viruses spread: through infectious respiratory droplets (droplets released when a person coughs, sneezes or talks). If these get into a healthy person's nose or mouth, the person can get infected. Sometimes people get infected when they touch something with flu virus on it, then touch their mouth or nose. Flu viruses can live on shared objects (doorknobs, keyboards, counters, etc.) for up to 48 hours. They can live on clothes or materials for up to 12 hours.

What are the symptoms?

It appears that the early symptoms are similar to seasonal flu - sudden fever (over 38ºC) and cough, sore throat, headache, generalised aches and pains, shortness of breath and vomiting and diarrhoea.

How can I avoid catching influenza?

Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with tissues or masks. Encourage others to do so.

Be aware of viruses possibly living on hard surfaces – clean them frequently with soap and water, detergent or alcohol. This will kill the H1N1 influenza virus. Wear gloves.

Clean shared items frequently e.g. door knobs, lift buttons, microwaves etc

Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly.

Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and diarrhoea / vomiting.

Again, wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly

Practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food and keeping physically active.

What should I do if I think I, or someone in my family, possibly has H1N1 influenza?

If you or your children feel unwell, have fever, cough and/or sore throat:

Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible.

Rest and take plenty of fluids.

Keep a record of your temperature twice daily (not within half an hour of eating or drinking)

Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues or a mask when coughing and sneezing and dispose of the used tissues properly.

Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing.

Contact clinic if fever > 38°C, symptoms as above and the swine flu virus is in the area. Antiviral drugs are best given in the first 48 hours.

Most people will get better within 5 to 10 days. Seek further advice:

If symptoms last longer than 10 days

If illness becomes worse after 5 days

If breathing is difficult or coughing produces yellow/green phlegm or blood

If experiencing severe or persistent vomiting

If fever is high or prolonged

If you are worried

If there is an ill person at home:

Try to provide the ill person a separate section in the house. If this is not possible, keep the patient at least 1 metre in distance from others.

Cover mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Masks can be bought commercially or made using readily available materials then disposed of or cleaned properly.

Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.

Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents. Wash clothes and bedding in the washing machine and clean hard services and shared items frequently.

What drugs are available for treatment?

Most of the previously reported swine influenza cases in earlier years recovered fully from the disease without requiring medical attention and without antiviral medicines. Some influenza viruses develop resistance to the antiviral medicines, limiting the effectiveness of treatment. The viruses obtained from the recent human cases with H1N1 Influenza in the United States are currently sensitive to oselatmivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?

Yes. H1N1 influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork or other products derived from pigs. The H1N1 influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F/70°C.

Is there a human vaccine to protect from swine influenza?

There are no vaccines that contain the current H1N1 Influenza virus causing illness in humans. It is not known whether current human seasonal influenza vaccines can provide any protection. Influenza viruses change very quickly. It is important to develop a vaccine against the currently circulating virus strain for it to provide maximum protection to vaccinated people. This is being done as quickly as possible.

Please keep informed about the H1N1 Influenza, the following websites are helpful:

World Health Organisation:

http://www.who.int/en/

Canters for Disease Control and Prevention:

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Australian Government Travel Bulletin – H1N1 Influenza

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health-Swine_Influenza

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Swine Influenza

Swine Influenza and You

 

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.>
Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc. gov/swineflu/ investigation. htm CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation. 

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze. 

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze. 

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands. 

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

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