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Swine is now H1N1 PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 30 April 2009
 By Mihretu Ayalew

UPDATES

 

H1N1 (Scientific name)

Virus: Deadly Emerging Infectious Disease

 H1N1 Virus is the latest of the newly emerging Virus that originated from Pigs and then cross-transmitted to humans. The H1N1 virus is an emerging infectious (infectious disease with increasing rate of incidence, number of disease cases in a population) warm-blooded animal virus. The H1N1 is a newly developed strain with crossed over genetic (RNA or DNA) material from animals to humans. Viruses are not cells but protein-coats with either RNA or DNA genetic material. As Virus is a particle, it requires unicellular or multicellular metabolic machinery in order to multiply for survival by injecting its genetic material into a host cell nucleus so as to replicate itself. And then virus becomes virulent that lyses or kills the host cells after infection. In extracellular state, the virus particle is metabolically inert and doesn’t carry respiratory or biosynthetic functions. On the other hand, in intracellular state, virus replication takes place and it is at this stage that virus genome is introduced into a host cell and reproduces and thus creating infection.   Viral Replication and Infection process: virus particle (RNA or DNA genetic material)

 => attachment/adsorption (host cell), protein coat remains outside

=> penetration/injection (viral RNA or DNA enters host cell) => virus enzymes synthesized

=> nucleic acid replication

=> synthesis of protein coats

 => assembly & packaging

 => release (lysis/rupture/death of host cell) of mature virus particles

=> Infection occurs

 => transmission (reservoir/host/vector to host: from pigs to humans and then host-to-host: from humans to humans)

=> outbreaks occur

=> epidemic (localized region: populations within a country) or pandemic (global epidemic: populations across countries) occurs

=> H1N1 pandemic occurrence

 => mortality (incidence of death in a population).  In those who have resistance and good immune systems have host-specific Interferons (induces proteins that inhibit viral replication) which are antiviral substances produced by animal cells in response to infection (live virus, viral nucleic acids, and virus inactivated by radiation) by certain viruses as H1N1. Addressing Emerging Diseases: recognition (surveillance) of the disease and intervention (public health response) to prevent spread of the disease. Essential Intervention strategies are strengthening the public health system and supporting research and training. Disease–specific intervention is the key to controlling individual outbreaks by implementing quarantine, immunization, and drug administration or treatment to prevent, control, and interrupt transmission.  

H1N1 Virus:

 A. Identification – an acute viral disease that affects the respiratory system and then the entire body ache due to aerosol transmission and direct contact (mainly with hands) through mouth, nose, and eyesB. Causative Agent – H1N1 virusC. Occurrence – as pandemics (rare but able to travel and infect populations across international borders) in school children and elderly populations but subsequently infecting all exposed indiscriminately; interspecies (across species) transmission from swine (pig) to humans and intraspecies (within the same species) transmission from humans to humans D. Reservoir – pigs are the primary reservoir for H1N1 virus; mammalian reservoir swine are the most likely sources of new swine flu (new influenza A) thought to emerge through genetic re-assortment (recombinant-DNA) or adaptive mutationE. Mode of Transmission – airborne/aerosol spread and direct contact (mainly contaminated hand-sakes)F. Incubation Period – Short, potentially 0-3 daysG. Period of Communicability – unknown, possibly 1-3 days  H. Susceptibility – very high in children and elderly populationsI. Methods of Control – 1. Preventive Measures: a.    Call your doctor and seek medical treatment and advice; and then report to local, state and federal authoritiesb.    Isolation and concurrent disinfectionc.    Quarantine or Isolate the patient(s) from their families and communitiesd.    Investigation of contacts and source of infection by searching the history of exposure to infected pigs and trace the place of origine.    Specific treatment, administer Flu shots2. Control of Patient, contacts and the immediate environment: quarantine or isolation3. Epidemic Measures: outbreaks may be an occupational hazard of animal husbandry mostly in industrialized countries’ pig raising and herding farm communities.          

  4. Disaster Implications: mass migrations, mass mobilizations, refugee camps, etc

5. International Measures: assess, monitor, and isolate or quarantine infected persons; treat and cure or fully recover patients before uniting with their family and community            6. Measures in case of deliberate use: none Signs/symptoms of H1N1 Virus infection in Pigs: (http://cdc.gov/)·         Coughing or barking·         Discharge from nose·         Sneezing·         Breathing difficulties·         Going of feed H1N1 Infection prevention in pigs:·         Vaccinate herds·         Use good biosecurity measures·         Encourage good hygiene practices among workers·         Use proper ventilation systems Take these everyday steps/preventive measures to protect yourself, your family, and community health: (http://cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm/)
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.(http://cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm/)

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

CDC’s four Overarching Health Protection Goals: (http://cdc.gov/osi/goals/)

·         Healthy People in Every Stage of Life·         Healthy People in Healthy places·         People Prepared for Emerging Health Threats·         Healthy People in a healthy World Source: Control of Communicable Diseases manual, 18th Ed, 2004;   http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/; Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 9th Ed, 2000 
 
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