Swine flu declared a pandemic

Jun. 11, 2009 -- It's official. The world is experiencing its first pandemic since The Hong Kong Flu of 1968 after the World Health Organization raised its swine flu alert level from a 5 to a 6 today.

What's a pandemic?
The word "pandemic" has a way of making some people take notice while it can incite panic in others. But representatives of the World Health Organization caution against excessive worry over the level 6 status of this virus.

Keiji Fukuda, acting WHO assistant director-general, explained in a recent teleconference that a "phase 6" alert merely reflects the geographic spread of the disease. "It does not mean that the severity of the situation has increased or that people are getting seriously sick at higher numbers or higher rates," Fukuda said.

Rapid spread of the influenza A/H1N1 virus beyond North America is part of the criteria that would trigger the Phase 6 pandemic designation. Australia is the latest country to report rapidly climbing swine flu infection rates, likely prompting the WHO's alert level adjustment.

Swine flu worldwide: Confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1
The United States reports the greatest number of lab-confirmed cases of swine flu, with 13,217* people contracting the virus in that country. Mexico has the second-highest number of cases, with 6,241; followed by Canada with the third largest incidence at 2,446 infections.
*WHO data, current as of June 11, 2009.

Worldwide, there have been 28,774 cases but it's important to note that most are mild, requiring no medical intervention, and only 144 have resulted in death. Many of those who came down with severe illness -– or died -- from the swine flu had underlying conditions that interfered with their ability to fight off infection.

Swine flu symptoms
The swine flu leaves those who are infected with typical flu-like symptoms such as fever, aching muscles, fatigue, a sore throat and a runny nose. It can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and is particularly challenging for those with a weakened immune system.

If you think you have the swine flu...

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If you think you have the swine flu, the WHO recommends staying home from work or school, getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids and, if possible, calling a health professional before going to a health care facility to discuss whether or not you need a medical examination.

According to the WHO, you should seek medical care if you're short of breath or have difficulty breathing, or if you have a fever for more than three days. For parents with a young child who is sick, seek medical care if your child has a continuing fever, fast or laboured breathing, or convulsions (seizures).

Information is power
In a statement to the press by WHO director-general Dr. Margaret Chan, announcing the designation of swine flu as a pandemic, she explains that no previous pandemic has ever been detected so early or watched so closely. "The world can now reap the benefits of investments, over the last five years, in pandemic preparedness," she says.

The WHO has been consulting with influenza vaccine manufacturers to fight this flu strain by developing a new vaccine. "I understand that production of vaccines for seasonal influenza will be completed soon, and that full capacity will be available to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccine in the months to come," she says.

Swine flu prevention
In the meantime, your best defense against the swine flu is to prevent infection by washing your hands frequently, especially before meals, and keeping your hands out of your mouth and away from your face. Remember to sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow -– covering your mouth and nose.

Swine flu, and other viruses that affect your respiratory system, are transmitted via droplets that are expelled with a sneeze or cough. A healthy person may inhale those droplets or touch a infected surface and then touch their mouth or nose, sending the virus into their body, where it incubates for a couple of days before presenting symptoms.

Fighting off a cold or flu? Here's help:
-Is it a cold or flu? How to tell the difference
-Natural cold and flu relief
-Brand vs. generic cold medication
-Hand-washing 101

Visit our sister site, canadianliving.com for more on swine flu and you.