The Swine Flu Outbreak

Swine influenza, more commonly known as the swine flu, is a respiratory disease from pigs that causes a strain of influenza virus. As with all other common flu viruses, the swine flu viruses are constantly changing. When flu viruses from the various species of pigs infect them, the strains have the capacity to trade genes, causing new viruses to result. These outcomes can include a mixture of both swine and human viruses that emerge to form different cases. The most recently reported viruses, known as H1N1, is very contagious, and is spreading from human to human as we speak.

This newly discovered virus is not only affecting people within the United States, but around the world. These countries include Mexico, the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Germany, and sixteen others. A total of 778 people have been infected with this flu worldwide, and 226 of them in the United States alone. It came into the United States through people from Mexico crossing the boarder, entering in, and therefore introducing this virus or people traveling to Mexico and returning.

A key question that many people are asking is where did this virus come from? This concern has provided a light, turning us to look at where the new found virus came from within the period from which it evolved. Its relative strain is what flu scientists refer to as "quadruple reassorant", which were three viruses that made up the genes from the common seasonal flu of the H3N2 family, which are the North American bird virus and a common swine flu. Scientists say that this flu "swap" was what gave rise to the swine flu outbreak today. It was the "quadruple reassorant" that extended throughout several swine in North America, Mexico, and Europe, but was not yet able to affect people. It was these factors that combined and it was in the current year, 2009 that the first case arose in Mexico.

This question then leads to why it is called the swine flu. This is because many of the laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this influenza are very similar to the ones that normally occur in pigs in North America. However, extensive studies have shown that this strain differs from what normally circulates. It only contains two of the genes from flu viruses that circulate in the countries stated above. It is these countries that are reporting several people sick with this new virus, and is spreading in such a way as the common seasonal flu does.

When seeing that many people have come down with the virus, it leads to how severe this virus must really be. It is not completely clear yet as to how detrimental the flu will effect the general population, as some people may be more prone to infection, hospitalization, and a more serious reaction to it. To get an idea as to what the outcome will be, the normal seasonal flu is an excellent example. It is within this that certain people are at more risk that others, which include people 65 years and older, children under five years old, and pregnant women. At its current standings, the swine flu is affecting mostly younger children, teenagers, and young adults. The main cause of its spreading is though people coughing, sneezing, as well as touching objects.

The swine flu is rapidly spreading throughout the United States and other countries, after having its origin in Mexico. Many people have been affected, and the numbers are growing each day, on the verge of a worldwide pandemic. While its increasing numbers are frightening many people, there is no need for any serious alarm. By abiding by regular flu standards, such as washing your hands frequently, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, as well as others will help in the efforts to avoid acquiring the virus. Despite the two virus related deaths in the United States, the general population who get sick will be able to overcome the strain of this influenza, and make a full recovery.

Although within the past week the initial response of panic has calmed to one relative ease and many questions still remain the most essential weeks and months ahead. Some poignant questions remain such as will it continue to grow within countries detrimentally affecting impoverished countries? Will it fade only to return in the fall in a more virulent form? Will an effective vaccine be available by summer’s end? Some important questions remain unanswered at this time and it is still not clear if this new swine flu strain will run a relatively quite course or break into a storm as it gains strength. Only time will tell but until then it is wise not to panic and manage this flu outbreak as you would any other by taking obvious known precautions.