by Tara Rijon

Created on: April 29, 2009   Last Updated: May 09, 2009

The recent outbreak of Swine Flu (recently renamed H1N1) has gained international attention as it continues to blaze a path across the United States and numerous foreign countries. As the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to update the public on additional cases, we prepare ourselves for the unknown. In the meantime, scientists and epidemiologists throughout the world seek to find the cause and a vaccine.

While initially named Swine Flu, the WHO has described the H1N1 virus as a drug-resistant influenza A that is actually a combination of swine, avian and human viruses. Although humans are not generally susceptible to animal viruses, this particular one mutated along with a human virus, making it a contagion.

The type A virus is the most deadly of all the influenza viruses and multiplies at an alarming rate. Once the human body has been exposed, it attacks the cells and can reproduce some 100,000 times within a matter of hours. Because of its rapid reproduction it can change quickly. The H1N1 virus attacks the respiratory tract, causing a break down in lung tissue, and deaths are generally attributed to pneumonia rather than the flu.

H1N1 spreads from person to person in the same manner as any other type of flu. A handshake, a cough or a sneeze, or any type of physical contact can pass the virus, and the incubation period is generally only a couple of days. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), a person can continue to pass the virus for several days, and up to ten days in children.

The concern of the WHO at this point, is the fear of the virus mutating further. The current flu vaccine that is made available to the public may help in fighting the human strain of the H1N1 virus, but will do nothing to suppress the swine or avian viruses. The more that it passes from human to human, the more it mutates. The more it mutates, the less likely that our antibodies will be able to fight it off. Although manufacturing of the vaccine has begun, it will not be made available to the public until fall.

According to the CDC, there is no evidence to suggest that the H1N1 virus can be transmitted to humans by way of eating pork. As in all instances, pork should be cooked thoroughly (to an internal temperature of 160 degrees) to assure that all bacteria is destroyed.

While the overall spread of the virus started out at a slow pace, the WHO is concerned by the increasing number of cases, and it could result in the alert level being raised to six (its highest level). Additionally, they are concerned about a second wave occurring. According to ABC news, Dr. Margaret Chen of the WHO stated that if a second wave does occur, that it would be the biggest of all outbreaks the world has faced in the 21st century.

More than 1600 cases of the H1N1 virus have been reported in the United States and, in some areas, the numbers have doubled overnight. With no end in sight it is imperative that everyone educates themselves and take the necessary precautions to avoid exposure. For further information you can call the CDC at 1-800-232-4636 or go to their web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm.

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