Swine influenza (also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu) is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus (SIV) or S-OIV (swine-origin influenza virus) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
Swine influenza virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood. If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses no risk of infection when properly cooked.
During the mid-20th century, identification of influenza subtypes became possible, allowing accurate diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, only 50 such transmissions have been confirmed. These strains of swine flu rarely pass from human to human. Symptoms of zoonotic swine flu in humans are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.
Classification
Of the three genera of influenza viruses that cause human flu, two also cause influenza in pigs, with influenza A being common in pigs and influenza C being rare. Influenza B has not been reported in pigs. Within influenza A and influenza C, the strains found in pigs and humans are largely distinct, although because of reassortment there have been transfers of genes among strains crossing swine, avian, and human species boundaries.
Influenza C
Influenza C viruses infect both humans and pigs, but do not infect birds. Transmission between pigs and humans have occurred in the past. For example, influenza C caused small outbreaks of a mild form of influenza amongst children in Japan and California. Because of its limited host range and the lack of genetic diversity in influenza C, this form of influenza does not cause pandemics in humans.
Influenza A
Swine influenza is known to be caused by influenza A subtypes H1N1, H1N2,H2N3, H3N1, and H3N2. In pigs, three influenza A virus subtypes (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) are the most common strains worldwide. In the United States, the H1N1 subtype was exclusively prevalent among swine populations before 1998; however, since late August 1998, H3N2 subtypes have been isolated from pigs. As of 2004, H3N2 virus isolates in US swine and turkey stocks were triple reassortants, containing genes from human (HA, NA, and PB1), swine (NS, NP, and M), and avian (PB2 and PA) lineages.
Surveillance.
Although there is no formal national surveillance system in the United States to determine what viruses are circulating in pigs, there is an informal surveillance network in the United States that is part of a world surveillance network.
Veterinary medical pathologist, Tracey McNamara, set up a national disease surveillance system in zoos because the zoos do active disease surveillance and many of the exotic animals housed there have broad susceptibilities. Many species fall below the radar of any federal agencies (including dogs, cats, pet prairie dogs, zoo animals, and urban wildlife), even though they may be important in the early detection of human disease outbreaks.
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(avian influenza) is an infectious disease caused by viruses that normally infect birds and mammals.
Source of infection
Cause of bird flu was type A influenza virus that spreads among birds. This virus was later found to also spread to other species such as pigs, cats, dogs, tigers, and humans.
Influenza virus type A has several subtypes characterized by Hemagglutinin (H) and Neuramidase (N). There are 9 variants and 14 variants of N. H Bird flu virus is contagious when it is the H5N1 subtype which has a long incubation period of 3-5 days.
Infection Mode
Wild birds and domesticated poultry (livestock) can be a source of H5N1 dispersal. In Southeast Asia most cases of bird flu occurred in poultry transportation routes or instead of wild bird migration routes.
This virus can be transmitted through air or contact through food, drink, and touch. However, this virus will die in high temperatures. Therefore, meat, eggs, and animals should be thoroughly cooked to avoid infection. Personal hygiene should be maintained also by washing hands with antiseptic. Cleanliness of body and clothing also needs to be maintained.
The virus can survive in cold temperatures. Food that is refrigerated or frozen can store the virus. Hands should be washed before and after cooking or touching raw food materials.
Poultry should not be kept in the house or room in which to live. Livestock must be kept away from the housing to reduce the risk of transmission.
Not forever, if infected with the virus will cause illness. However, this can be dangerous in the future because the virus is always mutating, so have the potential pathogen at a time. Therefore, if found in animals or birds that died suddenly the authorities would make the allegation of bird flu. To prevent transmission, the other animals in the surrounding areas need dimusnahkan.dan berkasus prevented the bird flu spreading!
Symptoms and treatment
Common symptoms that can occur are high fever, respiratory complaints, and (probably) the stomach. Viral replication in the body can run fast so that the patient should immediately seek medical attention.
Handling medical and drug administration performed by an authorized medical officer. The drugs commonly given is lowering and anti-virus. Among the antivirus that can be used is the type that inhibit replication of neuramidase (neuramidase inhibitor), among others, Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir. Each of these antivirus has side effects and should be given within a certain time so that the required physician opinion.
Case Avian Influenza
On July 21, 2005, three fatal cases occurred in Tangerang, Indonesia, caused by the H5N1 subtype of bird flu. Unlike other cases in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam), this case is considered unique because the victim was not a lot to do with birds.
Until June 6, 2007, WHO has recorded 310 cases with 189 deaths in humans caused by this virus are as follows (see source):
- Indonesia - 99 cases with 79 deaths.
- Vietnam - 93 cases with 42 deaths.
- Egypt - 34 cases with 14 deaths.
- Thailand - 25 cases with 17 deaths.
- Republic of China - 25 cases with 16 deaths.
- Turkey - 12 cases with four deaths.
- Azerbaijan - 8 cases with 5 deaths.
- Cambodia - 7 cases with seven deaths.
- Iraq - three cases with two deaths.
- Laos - two cases with two deaths.
- Nigeria - a case with one death.
- Djibouti - a case without a death.
Description: The number of cases reported to WHO is the number of cases that have been verified by laboratory results.
Swine influenza (also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu) is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus (SIV) or S-OIV (swine-origin influenza virus) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.