Alert on Swine Flu

An outbreak on swine flu originating from Mexico has been reported a few days ago. This has quickly spread to some states in the US with suspected cases being reported in some countries in Europe and New Zealand. This new multi-strain swine flu virus is deadly and has killed more than 80 people in Mexico and it has the potential to spread very quickly to other parts of the world.

What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu viruses typically belong to the H1N1 variety and mostly affect the pigs. The current strain is different as it has acquired genes from the swine, bird and human flu viruses and has the capability to spread from human to human.

What are the signs and symptoms

• Fever

• Cough

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Body aches

• Tiredness

• Diarrhea/vomiting

How does swine flu spread?

Mainly from person to person through cough or sneezing. Also by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What precautions can I take

Most important is washing your hands with soap and water.Avoid contact with people who are not well.Keep yourselves in good health.

Are there any vaccines available against the current strain of viruses?

Unfortunately there is none at the moment.Some oral anti-viral medications may be effective but evaluation is still being carried out by WHO.

Tips for limiting risk of catching swine flu

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue if you cough/sneeze and discard the tissue in the bin.

2. Wash your hands with soap and water especially after coughing/sneezing.

3. Avoid contact with sick people

4. See your doctor if you feel unwell.

What has our Govt done

The Ministry of Health and Immigration Depts have started screening processes at all entry points to the country.The MOH has activated its operations room and is actively monitoring the situation.

Travel Advisory

Currently there are no travel restrictions but you are advised to take all precautionary measures as mentioned above if there is an urgent need to travel to any of the countries where there are reported cases.

Will keep you informed of any new developments.

- Write-up from Dr Amar Singh -

何谓猪流感？

这是猪身上爆发的流感。在很少一些案例中，人类因与猪密切接触而感染猪流感。目前流行的病毒毒株之所以令人担忧，就是它能在人与人之间直接传染。同普通的人流感一样，猪流感病情也有从轻微到严重之分。

墨西哥与美国爆发的同一种猪流感吗？

致病的病毒看来是相同的。但墨西哥的猪流感已导致至少20人死亡，而美国已确诊的20例猪流感则要轻微的多，其中并没有死亡病例，大多数患者都在康复之中，无需住院治疗。目前还不清楚为何墨西哥确诊的病例要比美国严重的多。美国疾病控制预防中心(CDC)一位官员周日警告说，随着美国继续发现猪流感病例，其中一些可能会有生命危险。

猪流感有何症状？

症状同普通流感相似：发热，并伴有咳嗽、咽喉痛、肌肉痛、头痛，发冷和疲劳。还有一些病例会有呕吐或腹泻的情况。

如果我感觉患病，应该怎么做？

纽约市官员说，出现普通流感症状的患者不需看急诊。但除了基本症状外，还出现一些危险症状的患者应该看急诊。对儿童来说，这些症状包括呼吸困难；皮肤颜色变青；流感症状开始改善，然后又出现发热和咳嗽加剧；以及伴有皮疹的发热等。对成人而言，危险的症状包括呼吸困难、胸腹部疼痛或有压迫感、突然的头晕或神志不清、以及严重或持续的呕吐。

能用药物治疗猪流感吗？

据信达菲(Tamiflu)和瑞乐沙(Relenza)这两种药物能够降低猪流感的病情和发病时间。但在美国，感染猪流感的大多数患者在没有服药的情况下病情也出现了好转。这两种药物也获批可以用来降低感染流感的风险。但与疫苗不同，它们并不能带来长期持续的保护作用。因此，它们一般只具有短期的预防作用，如在某位家庭成员感染流感的情况下。这两种药物都在美国政府的疫情储备药物当中，且只能凭医生处方购买。

今年的流感疫苗能预防猪流感吗？

美国疾病控制预防中心说，季节性的流感疫苗不太可能预防猪流感。该机构已经开发了专门针对猪流感的“种子疫苗”。如果政府部门认为有必要，这种疫苗可用于生产有针对性的疫苗。但生产一种新疫苗可能需要数月时间。

有没有减少猪流感扩散的办法？

纽约市卫生官员说，在咳嗽或打喷嚏时遮住你的鼻子和口。经常洗手。避免接触你的眼睛、鼻子和嘴。不要与受感染者密切接触。出现轻微症状的人在症状消失48小时之内应呆在家中，不要上学或上班，以避免传染疾病。