A deadly new strain of the flu virus has resulted in 60 deaths in Mexico. The new flu also crossed over into the U.S. where 8 people grew ill but later recovered.
The new flu strain closed schools and forced public events to be called off in Mexico City.
Officials have determined that the new strain is a combination of swine, human and avian flu viruses, according to CDC.gov.
Strangely, most of the deaths occurred in those 25 to 45 years old. This is concerning as usually outbreaks such as these are only fatal to the very young and the elderly. Pandemics, on the other hand, affect healthy young adults.
Swine Flu Symptoms
According to CDC.gov:
What are the Swine Flu symptoms?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
How does swine flu spread?Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly 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.
The CDC recommends routine precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases: wash your hands often, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoid close contact with sick people. If you are sick, stay at home and limit contact with others.
It’s important to note that global health officials are not yet declaring a pandemic. So far there has not been any change in the pandemic threat level.
4 Critical Ways to Track the Flu
1 – WHO’s Disease Outbreak News Center
2 – Customized Google Alerts
3 – Check CDC Travel Notices
4 – Use HealthMap
Amazon is also now offering a Swine Flu Safety Kit
The kit has been designed by the medical team at BP MEDICAL SUPPLIES in order to protect those citizens and officials who are working in areas where there is a higher risk of infection or contamination by Swine Flu.
The kit contains:
- 5 x N95 Respirator Masks
- 1 x Safety Goggles
- 1 x Disposable White Coverall with Elasticized hood, wrist, and boot(LG)
- 1 x 2 pair of High risk Nitryl Gloves
- 1X INSTA-CLEAN HAND SANITIZER 6X ANTIMICROBIAL WIPES..ETC…
Related articles by Zemanta
- CDC confirms 7 cases of swine flu (cnn.com)
- CDC: Swine flu seen in 2 California children (cnn.com)
- Mexico shuts schools around capital in flu scare, travellers warned (nationalpost.com)
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