Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Swine Flu Shot, Swine Flu Vaccination, Swine Influenza Vaccine

Swine Flu Shot, Swine Flu Vaccination, Swine Influenza Vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the vaccine used against seasonal influenza is not effective in preventing new viruses from the swine flu.

"The view (of scientists) and the consensus now is that the vaccine offers no protection (for the swine flu)," said the director of the Organization for Vaccine Research, Marie-Paule Kieny.

At a press conference, recalled that the manufacture of vaccines is a complex process that in some cases made it impossible to achieve a formula for certain diseases such as AIDS. However, he hoped the "tremendous experience" which has the pharmaceutical industry in the area of vaccines for seasonal influenza.

The expert stressed, however, can not wait to officially declare a pandemic to start manufacturing of vaccines capable of preventing transmission of the virus AH1N1.

It has advanced in about two weeks that will send the material to the viral vaccine production companies that produce each year about 400 million doses of seasonal influenza.

Building Time

Seasonal vaccines that are manufactured today have a process around four months. However, that time will be even greater in the case of the vaccine virus AH1N1, you have to add what it takes for the WHO in developing reagents between four and six weeks.

Swine Flu pandemic, Swine Flu Symptoms, Swine Influenza

Swine Flu pandemic, Swine Flu Symptoms, Swine Influenza

According to the latest data, the new flu virus that is transmitted between humans has genetic components of human strains, two types of poultry and pigs: Eurasian and American.

After its discovery was called 'swine flu', although it has yet been demonstrated its presence in pigs.

It is not the first time that an animal virus is detected before in humans. Scientists first found the AIDS virus in the early 80s in a U.S. gay community, but it took years to prove that the origin of HIV in African chimpanzees.

According to published 'The New York Times, the Mexican authorities have inspected visually several farms near La Gloria, which could have produced the first cases in search of sick animals, but have found no apparent evidence of disease.

However, scientists warn that pigs may be carriers of the virus and suffer no consequences, like the H5N1 strain, the most aggressive bird flu can kill chickens, but does not usually cause serious problems to ducks.

Samples of animals in stables in La Gloria could shed light on the issue, although it is possible that even these herds are the source of the problem.

Another issue of concern to scientists is how there has been the genetic mix of two breeds of pigs.

Apparently, the legal importation of pigs between continents is unusual because, as these animals can transmit many diseases, it requires multiple steps, including testing and quarantine.

The U.S. press suggests that the key may lie in an illegal trade in these animals.
The first humans affected

The scientific community is not only trying to find where the virus was conceived, but also what was the first human in question.

Until a few days ago, was given by the fact that the initial focus was on Mexico. In fact, it has been suggested that the child might be Mexican Edgar Hernandez patient 0. However, since the United States has been called into question this hypothesis.

The first four cases are divided evenly between Mexico and California. In fact, it appears that two children of this American state became ill in late March, several days before the first two known cases Mexicans.

Despite this, many people point out that Mexico already detected in mid-March, a slight increase in patients attending the doctor for severe respiratory problems like pneumonia. It has shown that the virus detected, H1N1, can cause this complication.

This slight increase was not caused much concern and the principle that each year approximately 20,000 people die from pneumonia in Mexico.

The fact that the infection has caused deaths in Mexico alone has generated speculation about the possibility that the Mexican strain was different from the rest of the world. However, the research director of the WHO, Marie Paule Kieny, has remarked that the virus detected in Mexico, United States and Europe are equal to 99% of its genome. "We can say that the same virus. We have no satisfactory explanation for why the symptoms are more severe in Mexico than in other countries," said

Monday, June 15, 2009

Swine Flu Pandemic, Swine Flu Symptoms, Swine Flu Vaccine, WHO declared global emergency

Swine Flu Pandemic, Swine Flu Symptoms, Swine Flu Vaccine, WHO declared global emergency


Influenza pandemics occur when a new strain of virus against which most people have no natural immunity. Experts believe that have been occurring at regular intervals since at least the sixteenth century.

Scientists classify influenza viruses according to their external proteins: hemagglutinin by H and N for neuraminidase. There are 16 different H types and nine different N rates, but the figures differ only strains and do not indicate greater severity.

In the twentieth century there were three influenza pandemics. Global health officials are watching carefully the current outbreaks of swine flu in the United States and Mexico to see if there is a risk that this virus detonate the next pandemic.

A look at the above three pandemics:

  • 1918. The Spanish flu pandemic that began in 1918 was possibly the deadliest outbreak of all time. Was first identified in United States, but was known as the Spanish flu because they received more media attention in Spain than in other countries, who were criticizing the press during the First World War. The 1918 flu was an H1N1 strain _diferente the currently affecting Unidos_ States and Mexico and attacked mostly healthy young adults. Experts estimate that killed between 40 u and 50 million people around the world.

  • 1957. The 1957 pandemic was known as Asian flu. Was caused by an H2N2 strain was first identified in China. There were two waves of disease during the pandemic, the first wave struck mainly to children, while the latter mostly affected elderly. This caused nearly two million deaths in the world.

  • 1968. The most recent pandemic, known as Hong Kong flu, was the lightest of the three pandemics of the century. Was first detected in Hong Kong in 1968 and spread globally in the next two years. Those most susceptible to the virus were elderly. Approximately one million people died of the H3N2 pandemic strain.


What is the swine flu?

It is a highly contagious acute respiratory illness that usually affects pigs. It spreads through tiny airborne particles or by direct contact. According to WHO tends to infect much of the hog, killing between 1 and 4% of those affected. Not all affected animals show symptoms.

Where outbreaks of swine flu?

R. The swine flu is considered endemic in United States and has also been reported cases of outbreaks in pigs throughout the world, North America and South America, Europe, Africa and parts of Asia.

Is it safe to eat pork products?

WHO says you can eat pig products prepared with care. The swine influenza virus is eliminated when cooked over 70 degrees centigrade (more than 160? F).

What is the risk of a pandemic?

Since the identified outbreaks of influenza in swine in the United States and Mexico has increased the risk of a pandemic. A health officials worry that the swine flu could become a strain easily contagious among humans. For this to happen, would be combined with a human flu virus could mutate itself into a form transmissible. The experts worry that the more the virus circulates, it would have greater opportunities to present a pandemic. But there is no way to predict when a strain develops that triggers a pandemic.

Is there a vaccine?

Pigs are vaccinated regularly in North America against swine flu, but there is no vaccine for humans. Either way, the flu virus is evolving rapidly, which means that vaccines are obsolete. Health officials say it is not known whether the vaccine for influenza can protect against swine flu.

Although people who received the influenza vaccine is likely to have no protection against swine flu, but could protect them from acquiring the flu. If you already suffer from swine flu, it reduces the possibility of mixing both influenza in a single person to create a strain that can cause a pandemic.

What other treatment exists for swine flu?

The flu virus detected in swine in the United States and Mexico seems to treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

As preventive measures are recommended: good hygiene, for example must be made to wash their hands regularly, and kept some distance from those with evil may be helpful

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Swine Flu Pandemic, Swine Flu Symptoms, Swine Flu Vaccine, Swine Flu in India

Swine Flu Pandemic, Swine Flu Symptoms, Swine Flu Vaccine, Swine Flu in India

The outbreak of swine flu that affects the Mexican capital has already killed over 80 people and affected another thousand. The World Health Organization has prepared a document with frequently asked questions about the disease.

- What is the swine flu?

This is a highly contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs, caused by a virus of the swine flu. Its morbidity is usually high and low mortality (1-4%). The virus is contagious among pigs by aerosol and through direct and indirect contact. Viruses are the most frequent type H1N1, but also circulating among pigs other viruses such as H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1. Outbreaks among pigs occur frequently, mainly in autumn and winter.

- How does it affect human health?

Occasionally been reported outbreaks and sporadic infections of swine flu in humans. Generally, clinical symptoms are similar to common flu, but their clinical presentation is wide, from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia that end in death.

As the classic clinical presentation of swine flu in humans is similar to the common flu (fever, cough, headache ...) and other acute respiratory tract infections, most cases have been detected by chance through the system Common influenza surveillance. Asymptomatic or mild cases may have escaped detection, so you know the real extent of the disease among humans.

- How is the infection?

Normally people are infected through diseased pigs, but some human cases have occurred without contact with these animals. Transmission between humans has occurred in some cases but has been limited to close contacts and groups of people.

- Is it safe to eat pork and pig products?

YES. The swine flu is not contagious to people through consumption of pork processed or prepared properly or through other products derived from pork. The swine influenza virus is eliminated when cooking at temperatures of 70 ยบ C.

- Is there a risk of a pandemic?

It is likely that most people, especially those who have no regular contact with pigs have no immunity to swine influenza viruses that can prevent infection from this virus. If a swine influenza virus infection achieved effectively between humans, could cause a pandemic (worldwide epidemic).

The impact of a pandemic caused by this type of virus is difficult to predict: it depends on the virulence of the virus, immunity between people, that could confer cross-protective antibodies to the common flu. The swine influenza virus can lead to a hybrid virus mixing with a human influenza virus causing a pandemic.

- Is there a human vaccine to protect swine flu?

No. Influenza viruses change very quickly and the match between the vaccine and circulating viruses is very important to provide adequate immunity in vaccinated people. Hence the need to select virus WHO twice a year to the common flu vaccine.

The current influenza vaccine produced under WHO recommendations do not contain viruses of swine flu. It is not known whether the influenza vaccine can provide cross-protection against the current outbreak of swine flu in the U.S. and Mexico. WHO is working closely with other institutions to a new warning about the use of influenza vaccine in preventing common infection of the swine flu.

- Is there a treatment for swine flu?

Antiviral drugs for influenza are common in some countries prevent and treat the disease effectively. There are two classes of these drugs: the adamantanes (amantadine and remantadina) and the neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir).

Most previous cases of swine flu was completely recovered from the disease without needing medical attention or antiviral drugs.

Some influenza viruses develop resistance to antiviral drugs, limiting the effectiveness of prophylaxis and treatment. Viruses from recent human cases in the U.S. responded to oseltamivir and zanamivir, but were resistant to amantadine and remantadine.

The information is insufficient to make recommendations on the use of antivirals in the prevention and treatment of swine influenza infection. Doctors must make decisions based on clinical trials and epidemiological and balance damage / benefits of treatment to the patient. For the current outbreak in the U.S. and Mexico, national and local authorities recommend treatment and prevention of disease based on the susceptibility profile of the virus

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Swine Flu Pandemic, Swine Flu Vaccine, Swine Flu Symptoms

Swine Flu Pandemic, Swine Flu Vaccine, Swine Flu Symptoms

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Thursday the highest level of alert for swine influenza A (H1N1), making it the first global pandemic of the 21st century, informed the director of the institution, Margaret Chan.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Thursday the highest level of alert for swine influenza A (H1N1), making it the first global pandemic of the 21st century, informed the director of the institution, Margaret Chan, the Member States .
The manager "confirmed that the alert is raised to Phase 6," said one diplomat in Geneva, by revealing that Chan had informed the WHO that had risen to its highest level of alert by the swine flu, after Meeting with the ambassadors to the WHO in Geneva.
Meanwhile, the Swedish Minister of Health, Maria Larsson, said in press conference that "the WHO raised its alert level to phase six."
Influenza A (H1N1) continues to spread, "said Larsson. However, the six-level "does not mean that the disease has changed. Those affected generally have mild symptoms," he said.
The decision announced de facto the first influenza pandemic of the twenty-first century.
WHO had convened a committee of urgency for early afternoon to assess the possibility of decreeing a state of maximum alert.
This was followed by another meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions to inform them of the situation.
While doubts about its intentions, the director of the UN agency based in Geneva, Margaret Chan, who rarely speaks in front of journalists, called a press conference at 16.00 GMT as it did on other occasions where was changed to alert phase.
The virus of swine origin, avian and human affects 27,737 people in 74 countries. And 141 were killed by the disease. Apparently the situation in Australia was that motivated the decision.
Scottish Health Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, had indicated in Edinburgh that it was likely an announcement during the day "taking into account local transmissions found in Australia.
The number two of the WHO, Keiji Fukuda on Tuesday acknowledged "a local transmission" in the State of Victoria.
Australia is the fifth most affected country in the world infected with 1263 cases. The authorities indicated Thursday that four people infected were admitted into intensive care.
However, Australia is not alone. In Chile, the number of infections has tripled in two days, and reaching to 1694 people.
In Hong Kong ordered the closure of primary schools and kindergartens after twelve students contamination by the virus. In Germany, where 78 new cases reported on Wednesday. 27 students in a Japanese school in Dusseldorf (West) contracted the disease.
For ten days the WHO announcement paves the way for the pandemic. On Tuesday, the number two of the organization acknowledged that "we are very, very close" to the pandemic.
Fukuda explained that the organization hoped to do so is evidence that the virus, which appeared in Mexico and then in United States, has spread locally outside the North American region.
On Wednesday, WHO called on health ministers of the eight most affected countries in a teleconference to "see if there is indisputable evidence of local transmission."
For experts, these tests have been around for a while, but WHO decided, under pressure from its members, be given time to prepare in the best way to avoid its 193 members and a movement of panic that would, in her view, unjustified.
"Go to stage six means that the spread (of itself) is continuing ... but does not mean that disease severity increased," Fukuda stressed.
In fact, the mortality of the virus was now equivalent to that of seasonal influenza (0.1%), leaving aside the case of Mexico (0.4%), while the avian flu is 60%.
But should the virus could mutate and combine with a more virulent strain, opening the way to more pessimistic scenarios, WHO fears.
Nevertheless, the organization is reassuring that the world repeats itself and never been so well prepared for pandemic flu.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Swine Flu Pandemic Is Imminent And Brings To five the level of alert Reports WHO

Swine Flu Pandemic Is Imminent And Brings To five the level of alert Reports WHO

The new phase implies that the virus was transmitted from person to person in at least two countries within a region .- Death in Texas of a Mexican child 23 months who traveled to the U.S. for medical treatment

The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided today to raise the level five alert swine-flu pandemic is the most six, as announced by the agency's director general, Margaret Chan. Phase five indicates that the virus was transmitted from person to person in at least two countries within a region, in this case Mexico and United States, which means a signal that a pandemic is imminent.

The Government of Mexico that are 159 confirmed deaths possibly related to the swine flu in the country. 152 of these deaths are suspected and are located in various parts of the country, while the other 7, which occurred in the capital, should be safe to swine flu. Therefore, the Mexican authorities have tightened sanitary measures with the closure of the local part of the entertainment and restaurants.

Chan made this announcement after presiding over a conference call with experts from the emergency committee of the organization. "All humanity is under threat of a pandemic," said the director of the WHO appealed to governments, pharmaceutical industries and the business community to pool efforts and resources against this crisis. "The positive side is that the world is better prepared for pandemic than at any other time in history," he added.

According to the guide that the organization has distributed among its member states, this decision means that it must move from the stage of preparation to the action in those countries that have confirmed cases of patients and in those that have not yet accounted for.

At the state level, a key action is to decide whether it is necessary to declare a national emergency and at what level, and have well-stocked distribution network of medicines or treatments available. Each country must assess whether you need outside help, and if necessary apply not only to help the people but also to prevent the pandemic from spreading to neighboring countries.

The UN agency recognizes the freedom of each country to make the decisions it deems appropriate, but does not recommend the closure of borders to goods and people, the widespread disinfection, the use of masks for people who are healthy and the restriction travel within the country unless the infection is very limited.

In his appearance before the media, Chan also noted that "influenza viruses are known to be unpredictable," and noted that a pandemic is much more serious and devastating in developing countries with fewer resources.

At a press conference, the deputy secretary-general of WHO, Keiji Fukuda said that although A/H1N1 is a new pig virus, "is turning into a human influenza virus. There is no evidence that nobody has been infected pigs. "

According to WHO data, there are 114 cases of swine flu officially confirmed by laboratories: 64 in United States, 26 in Mexico, 13 in Canada, two in Israel, four in Spain, two in the United Kingdom and three in New Zealand . Of those, seven deaths in Mexico and one in the U.S., according to the organization.

First death in United States

The outbreak of swine flu has caused death early Wednesday outside of Mexico, an outbreak of the epidemic. A Mexican boy of 23 months died in Texas after his father took him to United States for medical treatment.

"The child was bad and his family took him to Southeast Texas, Houston, to be cured," said the spokesman of the department of Health in Houston, Kathy Barton, a CNN.

U.S. authorities have so far confirmed 91 cases of infection, mostly in California, New York and Texas. California on Tuesday ordered the state of emergency, while Texas has decide declared disaster zone on Wednesday.

The U.S. president, Barack Obama, said after hearing the news that the epidemic of swine flu was "worrying" and called "the most extreme precautions." Furthermore, the President has called on schools where there are suspected cases to consider "seriously" the possibility of temporarily closing the classroom.

159 suspicious deaths in Mexico

In Mexico, as reported to the authorities, cases of infection appear to be decreasing and the number of deaths amounted to 159 suspects. The Government has lowered confirmed fatal cases from 20 to just seven, by matching the data with the record of the World Health Organization (WHO). "Of the deaths that we have studied so far only seven can confirm that this is the pig virus," said general director of the Center for Epidemiological Surveillance and Disease Control of Mexico, Miguel Angel Lezana.

In total, around the world are eight countries that officially confirmed cases of swine flu: in addition to Mexico, Costa Rica, United States, Canada, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Israel and New Zealand.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Swine Flu Vaccine, Swine Flu Vaccines Donated, Swine Flu Epidemic, Swine Influenza

Swine Flu Vaccine, Swine Flu Vaccines Donated, Swine Flu Epidemic, Swine Influenza

World Health Organization keeping in mind the apathy of the poor people have urged all the pharmaceutical giants of the world to stock some part of the vaccine production for the poor people around the globe affected by the swine flu who cant afford the vaccines of the swine flu.
UN Chief Ban-Ki-Moon has urged the leading vaccine producers from around the globe has urged them to stock at least 10% of the vaccine productions for the poor people affected from the Swine flu. reacting to the request some of the vaccine producers have agreed but some has not accepted the proposal of the UN chief regarding the helping of the poor people.

the UN chief said that the spread of the disease has got down to some extent whereas, the danger is still lurking on th globe regarding the flu. The Swine Flu has claimed the maximum li9ves in the Mexico where it has been detected first and there are reports of 8o above deaths from the Mexico alone.

The UN chief also said that it is very uphill task for the vaccine producers to produce the vaccines of Swine flu for the 6.8 billion people on the earth., the production would take months and it will effect the production of the other vaccines serious jeopardizing the health of the poor countries. So its better to undertake precautions and be safe from the Pandemic swine flu

Swine Flu Epidemic, Swine Flu Vaccine, Swine Influenza, Swine Flu, Swine Vaccine

Swine Flu Epidemic, Swine Flu Vaccine, Swine Influenza, Swine Flu, Swine Vaccine

Swine Flu is creating a hell of trouble for the people and the government as there are no specific drug or vaccine available to control the spread of the Swine Flu across the world from person to person and from country to country. It is just not only causing the disease but its also fatal and have claimed the lives of the many people across the globe. There are the reports of the nearly 20,000 cases with some deaths and hospitalizations. The U.S. government is trying hard for the production of the vaccination as soon as possible.

An official from the U.S. health ministry informed the press that vaccines for the swine flu could be made available to the effected ones by the end of the month of October provided that the vaccination testing and production runs smoothly. Dr Annie Schuchat from the U.S. Centers for disease control and prevention has informed that the shipment of the virus sample has began to the respective manufacturers.