What is Swine Influenza?
Swine flu is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease normally found in pigs. It spreads through tiny particles in the air or by direct contact. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
Can humans catch swine flu?
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu and death cases have occurred in Mexico. Cases have also been reported in the US and New Zealand.
How does swine flu spread?
Close contact with infected pigs. Person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Symptoms of swine flu
Reported symptoms include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, sore throat, disorientation, stiffness of the joints, vomiting, and loss of consciousness ending in death.
How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine influenza A infection, 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 virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen for laboratory testing.
Available treatment
Presently, there is no vaccine for the swine virus in human. However, it has been reported that the swine flu virus detected in Mexico and the United States appears to respond to treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
Preventive strategies
In addition to maintaining good hygiene, e.g. regular hand-washing and staying a safe distance from those infected (i.e. isolation of infected individuals);
AEGIS Asia offers preventive solutions for viral outbreak and effective solutions for environments affected Viral Outbreak. Facilities will be thoroughly decontaminated and the process will be verified by using biological indicators to confirm the efficacy. The aim of our bio-decontamination service is to take control of the site bio-sphere and re-establish a controlled environment, safe for human occupation and reduce potential cross contamination.
For more information on our bio-decontamination services and Swine flu, please visit http://www.aegisasia.com and http://www.aegisasia.com/
Need Professional Assistance?
Please feel free to call us @ Tel: 6241 9443/ Hp: 9221 9221 or email info@aegisasia.com if you are interested in decontaminating your facilities
