Tweet
What is Swine Flu and how it spreads.
http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/upload...2027%20apr.pdf
1. What is Swine Flu (Swine Influenza)?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease affecting pigs that is caused by type A influenza
virus. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but
most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to influenza
outbreaks in humans. It causes high levels of illness but low death rates in pigs.
2. Does Swine Flu affect humans?
Swine flu viruses that cause disease in pigs very rarely affect humans. However,
sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these
cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs but there have also been
documented cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu.
3. How does Swine Flu spread to humans?
Swine flu spreads to humans mainly through contact with infected pigs, which shed
the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. Limited human-to-human
transmission can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people.
4. Can people catch Swine Flu from eating pork?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that swine flu can be transmitted to
humans from eating pork or pork products that have been thoroughly cooked.
5. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of
regular human seasonal influenza. An early symptom is high fever, and this is
followed by cough, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes breathlessness a few
days later.
6. How can human infections with swine flu be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine flu, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected
within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be
shedding the virus). However, some persons, especially children may shed the virus
for 10 days or longer.
7. What medications are available to treat swine flu infection in humans?
There are three different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in Singapore for the
treatment of influenza: amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Another antiviral drug,
rimantadine, is also licensed for use in the United States for the treatment of
influenza. While most swine flu viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the
most recent swine flu viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and
rimantadine. At this time, the US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®)
or zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine
flu viruses.
8. Are there any cases of Swine Flu in Singapore?
To date, there have been no human cases of swine flu detected in Singapore.
9. Is there any cause for alarm in Singapore?
No human swine flu cases have been reported in Singapore. MOH is monitoring the
situation closely and will update the public should the situation change.
10. What is MOH doing to ensure that the disease is not transmitted here?
MOH maintains a comprehensive and well established disease surveillance system
for the early detection of human cases of novel influenzas such as swine flu. In
addition, MOH has sent a medical alert to all medical practitioners and staff in
hospitals, national centres, private medical clinics and polyclinics to update them on
the outbreak of swine flu in the USA and Mexico and to advise them to be vigilant for
any suspect cases. When the situation warrants, MOH will step up public health
measures e.g. quarantine of contacts, issue public health advisories, and work with
other government agencies to screen visitors at our border checkpoints. Further,
MOH has an influenza pandemic preparedness plan in response to a pandemic
situation.
11. Is it safe to visit countries with cases of Swine Flu and will I be quarantined when I return? What travel precautions should I take?
There are currently no travel restrictions or quarantine advised by the World Health
Organisation for swine flu. If you intend to travel to areas which have cases of swine
flu (currently – currently – California, Texas and Kansas in the United States; and
Mexico), you should take note of the following measures to minimize your risk of
acquiring swine flu:
Avoid contact with persons with symptoms of influenza
Avoid crowded areas and maintain good ventilation.
Observe good personal and environmental hygiene. Wash hands
thoroughly with soap and water frequently and when they are contaminated
by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
Maintain good body resistance through a balanced diet, regular
exercise, having adequate rest, reducing stress and not smoking.
As part of national level measures, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
will be implementing precautionary measures at Singapore Changi Airport in light of
the outbreak of swine flu cases in Mexico and the United States.
From 2300 hours 26 April, thermal scanners will be deployed to screen passengers
on flights arriving from the US. Screening of all arriving passengers will take place
from 0800 hours on 27 April 2009, when thermal scanners will be deployed at the
Arrival Halls of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. From Wednesday (29 April 2009), the
scanners will also be deployed at the Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport. The
scanners will measure the temperature of passengers just before they undergo
immigration checks. Passengers with a higher-than-normal temperature will undergo
a more thorough medical assessment. These precautionary checks are non-intrusive and have no impact on the time needed by passengers to clear the various airport
processes. Flights in and out of Changi Airport are continuing as normal.
In addition, health alert notices containing information about swine flu will be placed
at the immigration counters for arriving passengers.
12. What should I do if I suspect I have swine flu after returning to Singapore?
You should consult your doctor as soon as possible and inform your doctor if you
have symptoms of swine flu and had recently travelled to areas which have cases of
swine flu (currently – California, Texas and Kansas in the United States; and Mexico).
13. What should I do if I fall ill overseas?
You should consult a local doctor as soon as possible and refrain from traveling until
you are certified fit by the doctor.
14. Does influenza vaccination help in preventing Swine Flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no
vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine is unlikely
to protect against H1N1 swine flu viruses.
15. Is it safe to come into contact with live pigs in nature reserves and the wildlife reserves?
So far, there are no known cases of swine flu in Singapore. However, proper hygiene
practices, such as washing of hands after contact with animals including pigs, should
be maintained.
1. What is Swine Flu (Swine Influenza)?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease affecting pigs that is caused by type A influenza
virus. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but
most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to influenza
outbreaks in humans. It causes high levels of illness but low death rates in pigs.
2. Does Swine Flu affect humans?
Swine flu viruses that cause disease in pigs very rarely affect humans. However,
sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these
cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs but there have also been
documented cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu.
3. How does Swine Flu spread to humans?
Swine flu spreads to humans mainly through contact with infected pigs, which shed
the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. Limited human-to-human
transmission can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people.
4. Can people catch Swine Flu from eating pork?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that swine flu can be transmitted to
humans from eating pork or pork products that have been thoroughly cooked.
5. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of
regular human seasonal influenza. An early symptom is high fever, and this is
followed by cough, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes breathlessness a few
days later.
6. How can human infections with swine flu be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine flu, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected
within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be
shedding the virus). However, some persons, especially children may shed the virus
for 10 days or longer.
7. What medications are available to treat swine flu infection in humans?
There are three different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in Singapore for the
treatment of influenza: amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Another antiviral drug,
rimantadine, is also licensed for use in the United States for the treatment of
influenza. While most swine flu viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the
most recent swine flu viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and
rimantadine. At this time, the US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®)
or zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine
flu viruses.
8. Are there any cases of Swine Flu in Singapore?
To date, there have been no human cases of swine flu detected in Singapore.
9. Is there any cause for alarm in Singapore?
No human swine flu cases have been reported in Singapore. MOH is monitoring the
situation closely and will update the public should the situation change.
10. What is MOH doing to ensure that the disease is not transmitted here?
MOH maintains a comprehensive and well established disease surveillance system
for the early detection of human cases of novel influenzas such as swine flu. In
addition, MOH has sent a medical alert to all medical practitioners and staff in
hospitals, national centres, private medical clinics and polyclinics to update them on
the outbreak of swine flu in the USA and Mexico and to advise them to be vigilant for
any suspect cases. When the situation warrants, MOH will step up public health
measures e.g. quarantine of contacts, issue public health advisories, and work with
other government agencies to screen visitors at our border checkpoints. Further,
MOH has an influenza pandemic preparedness plan in response to a pandemic
situation.
11. Is it safe to visit countries with cases of Swine Flu and will I be quarantined when I return? What travel precautions should I take?
There are currently no travel restrictions or quarantine advised by the World Health
Organisation for swine flu. If you intend to travel to areas which have cases of swine
flu (currently – currently – California, Texas and Kansas in the United States; and
Mexico), you should take note of the following measures to minimize your risk of
acquiring swine flu:
Avoid contact with persons with symptoms of influenza
Avoid crowded areas and maintain good ventilation.
Observe good personal and environmental hygiene. Wash hands
thoroughly with soap and water frequently and when they are contaminated
by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
Maintain good body resistance through a balanced diet, regular
exercise, having adequate rest, reducing stress and not smoking.
As part of national level measures, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
will be implementing precautionary measures at Singapore Changi Airport in light of
the outbreak of swine flu cases in Mexico and the United States.
From 2300 hours 26 April, thermal scanners will be deployed to screen passengers
on flights arriving from the US. Screening of all arriving passengers will take place
from 0800 hours on 27 April 2009, when thermal scanners will be deployed at the
Arrival Halls of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. From Wednesday (29 April 2009), the
scanners will also be deployed at the Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport. The
scanners will measure the temperature of passengers just before they undergo
immigration checks. Passengers with a higher-than-normal temperature will undergo
a more thorough medical assessment. These precautionary checks are non-intrusive and have no impact on the time needed by passengers to clear the various airport
processes. Flights in and out of Changi Airport are continuing as normal.
In addition, health alert notices containing information about swine flu will be placed
at the immigration counters for arriving passengers.
12. What should I do if I suspect I have swine flu after returning to Singapore?
You should consult your doctor as soon as possible and inform your doctor if you
have symptoms of swine flu and had recently travelled to areas which have cases of
swine flu (currently – California, Texas and Kansas in the United States; and Mexico).
13. What should I do if I fall ill overseas?
You should consult a local doctor as soon as possible and refrain from traveling until
you are certified fit by the doctor.
14. Does influenza vaccination help in preventing Swine Flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no
vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine is unlikely
to protect against H1N1 swine flu viruses.
15. Is it safe to come into contact with live pigs in nature reserves and the wildlife reserves?
So far, there are no known cases of swine flu in Singapore. However, proper hygiene
practices, such as washing of hands after contact with animals including pigs, should
be maintained.
Comment