#Swine Flu

Swine Flu  (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs , resulting in nasal secretions ,decreased appetite and listless behaviour. Swine flu produces most of the same symptoms in pigs as human flu produces in people. 

Swine influenza virus was first isolated from pigs in 1930 in the U.S.  and has been recognized by pork producers and veterinarians to cause infections in pigs worldwide.  Swine flu is transmitted from person to person by inhalation or ingestion of droplets containing virus from people sneezing or coughing  ; it is not transmitted by eating cooked pork products. 

The newest swine flu virus that has caused swine flu is influenza A H3N2v (commonly termed H3N2v) that began as an outbreak in 2011. The “v” in the name means the virus is a variant that normally infects only pigs but has begun to infect humans also.

Swine Flu has been in the news since it first appeared this spring and while there have been deaths and hospitalizations in countries worldwide, most cases have been relatively mild. And now, there is an H1N1 swine flu vaccine ,too. But the bad news is that swine flu can still be serious and it”s still widespread. And now it  continues  to spread over India , with 55 more fatalities from the disease reported in the latest figures released by the country’s health ministry taking the total death toll to 1,370. 

The number of people who have contracted the virus has now crossed 25,000 , as according to Delhi based news agency ANI. But the highest number of reported deaths is in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat , where 322 people have succumbed to the disease thus far. While in the neighbouring state of Rajasthan, 321 have died, according to local news channel  NDTV. The continued rise in number of cases is being attributed to unusual weather conditions , including unseasonal rains , that have kept humidity levels high and allowed the virus to thrive.  

Swine flu can be prevented  by getting both the vaccines  since seasonal flu can be serious, specially for infants, elders and people with weak immune systems. Sick people should wear a face mask ,to avoid spreading their illness. People should wash their hands often, should cover their mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing , should avoid touching their nose , eyes and mouth and finally, should stay atleast 6 feet away from people with flu-like illness.  If people b more careful in protecting themselves, then swine flu shall soon be eradicated.   

Rupkatha Ghosh
Msc.Media || PG:1