Flu: Countries Must Remain Vigilant Says WHO

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Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Public Health
Article Date: 04 May 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The World Health Organization is urging all countries to remain vigilant as the influenza A(H1N1) virus, being referred to as swine flu, spreads around the world. The pandemic alert phase remains at level 5, which clearly signals the need for countries to respond and continue to mitigate the effects of the virus, although there is no need to restrict travel or close borders, said the global authority.

In the latest update issued on 3 May at 1600 GMT, the WHO reported 18 countries on 5 continents have officially confirmed 898 cases of infection by the A(H1N1) flu virus which has been found to have genetic elements from humans, pigs and birds.

506 of the cases are in Mexico, including 19 confirmed deaths, a figure which now takes into account repeat testing on previously collected specimens. The US has reported 226 cases, including one death. All other countries have reported cases but no deaths, these countries are:

• Canada (85 cases).
• Spain (40).
• United Kingdom (15).
• Germany (8).
• New Zealand (4).
• Israel (3).
• France (2).
• Austria (1).
• Costa Rica (1).
• Denmark (1).
• Hong Kong, China (1).
• Ireland (1).
• Italy (1).
• Republic of Korea (1).
• Netherlands (1).
• Switzerland (1).

In Canada, the authorities have confirmed that pigs on a farm in Alberta had been infected with the A(H1N1). It is highly likely that the infection came from a farm worker who had recently been in Mexico and had flu-like symptoms when he had contact with the pigs.

Dr Peter Ben Embarek, WHO Food Safety Scientist, told the press that the infection happened around April 12th to 14th, and the farm worker and the pigs have since recovered. The flu reaction in the pigs was mild, as it was in the farm worker, and the strain that infected the pigs appears to be the same one that is presently circulating among humans.

Embarek said he and his colleagues were not surprised by this event, since the virus has some genetic element from pig, and the authorities expected that swine would eventually become infected in areas where the virus is currently circulating.

However, while there is no evidence that the virus has adapted from being passed from human to pig in this instance, this could change, as it can with any virus that traverses different populations, and passes from animals to humans and vice versa.

As the virus changes, it could be become more severe, or less severe, or not change in severity, and it is not possible to anticipate which direction it will take, which is why it is important to maintain surveillance and continue to analyse the samples taken from infected people and animals, said Embarek.

The WHO emphasized that you will not become infected with A(H1N1) from eating well cooked pork and pork products.

"There is no reason to be afraid of consuming pork products", said Embarek, "this is not a food borne disease," he added.

People are advised frequently to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice if they have any symptoms of flu.

While the WHO advises no restrictions on travel or closure of borders, the authority urges people who are ill to delay any plans for international travel, and anyone who has symptoms of flu after international travel to seek medical attention, in line with national guidelines. In many countries this advice is to stay at home and call the doctor for advice.

On Sunday, Mexico's Health Minister José Ángel Córdova told a press conference that the virus seems to have peaked between 23-28 April, said a BBC news report.

But a WHO official said it could just be the "current round of activity" that has lessened, because the summer months are coming up. But there is a high chance the virus will come back, especially in colder periods, he said. It is still important to maintain vigilance, he added.

Main sources: WHO, BBC News.

Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today