SWINE FLU

• Yashu Sabharwal
• Arti Gupta
• Abhishek Chaudhary
• Parash Singh
 Influenza Virus
Types A and B
Type A Type B
(Seasonal, avian, swine (Seasonal influenza)
influenza,….)

Generally causes milder

Can cause significant disease disease but may also cause
severe disease

Infects humans and other

Limited to humans
species (e.g., birds; H5N1)

Can cause epidemics and Generally causes milder

pandemics (worldwide epidemics) epidemics

2
 Circulating Influenza Strains and
Pandemics in The 20th Century

1918: “Spanish Flu” 1957: “Asian Flu”
20-40 million deaths 1-4 million deaths
H2N2
H1N1
1968: “Hong Kong Flu”
1-4 million deaths
H3N2

1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

 What is Swine Influenza?
• Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs
caused by type A influenza viruses.
• It is anew strain of H1N1 influenza virus that was
first detected by Public Health Agencies in March
2009.
• The new strain is:
• A reassortment of several strains of influenza A
virus subtype H1N1, including a strain endemic in
humans and two strains endemic in pigs as well
as an avian influenza.
• Reassortment is common in influenza viruses,
due to the structure of the genome.
• This particular reassortment is consistment
with a transmission of swine influenza from
pig to human combined with the mixing of
two viral infections in the same person.
 How Swine Flu spreads?
• Virus spreads among pigs by aerosols , direct
and indirect contacts and asymptomatic
carrier pigs.
• Outbreak in pigs occur round the year
especially during winter in temperate zones.
• Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of
H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also
circulating in pigs(e.g. H1N2,H3N1,H3N2)
 Is Swine Flu contagious?
• Yes
• Through contact with infected pigs and
environment contaminated with swine flu
viruses.
• Through contact with a person infected with
swine flu.
• Human to human has been documented and is
thought to occur in the same way as seasonal
flu.
 How do you catch Swine Flu?
• Through contact with a person infected with
swine flu.
• Spreads mainly from person to person through
coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• People may get infected by touching
something contaminated with flu virus and
then touching their mouth or nose.
• Infected people can infect others beginning
from day 1 before symptoms develop and
upto 7 or more days after becoming sick.
 The
InfluenzaVirus
 Signs and Symptoms
Human Influenza

Type of infection Upper and lower respiratory

Fever Yes

Headache Yes

Cough Yes

Respiratory symptoms Varies; sore throat to difficulty

breathing

Gastrointestinal Uncommon, except children,

symptoms elderly
Recovery 2-7 days
Signs and symptoms
 Viral Re-assortment

Reassortment in
humans

Reassortment in pigs
Pandemic Influenza
Virus
 Big droplets
fall on people
surfaces bed clothes

Courtesy of CDC
 Preventive Measures
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue
paper when you cough or sneeze. Throw this
tissue paper in 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 as
germs spread in this way .
• Avoid close contact with people who have
influenza like symptoms.
• If you have influenza like symptoms ,stay at
home away from school or work and limit
contact with others to avoid infecting them.
Cough etiquette

• Respiratory
etiquette
– Cover nose / mouth when
coughing or sneezing

• Hand washing!
 Voluntary Isolation

• Separation and restricted movement of ill

persons with contagious disease (often in a
hospital setting and Primarily individual level)
– Isolate severe and mild cases
– Location of isolation (home, hospital) depends on several
factors (severity of illness, the number of affected persons,
the domestic setting)
– Do not wait for lab confirmation
– Plan for large number of severe cases
– Provide medical and social care
 Voluntary Quarantine

• Separation and restricted movement of well

persons presumed exposed
– Identification of contacts
• Often at home, but may be designated
residential facility or hospital
• Applied at the individual or community level
• Regular health monitoring is essential part of
quarantine
– Self-health monitoring and reporting
 Hand Washing
Method
• Wet hands with clean (not hot) water
• Apply soap
• Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds
• Rinse with clean water
• Dry with disposable towel or air dry
• Use towel to turn off faucet
 Alcohol-based Hand Rubs

• Effective if hands not visibly soiled

• More costly than soap & water
Method
• Apply appropriate (3ml) amount to palms
• Rub hands together, covering all surfaces
until dry
Isolation Precautions
Droplet precautions: Surgical
Masks
N-95 Filtering Masks
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)
 Drugs which are effective in Swine Flu
• There are four different antiviral
drugs that are effective for the
treatment of influenza:
Amantidine, rimantadine,
oseltamivir and zanamivir. While
most swine influenza viruses have
been susceptible to all four drugs.
• UAE has the maximum stock for
the medicines
 Antivirals- Oseltamivir
• Treatment is 75 mg twice a day for 5 days.
• Prophylaxis is 75 mg once a day for 7 days
after last exposure.
• Prophylaxis:
– High risk exposure (household contacts)
– Moderate risk (unprotected very close exposure to
sick animals; HCW with unprotected exposure to
patients)
– Low risk exposure: no need for prophylaxis unless
activation of exceptional measures.
Thank you