Swine Influenza (Flu)

If you have been listening to news or reading it on-line, you are aware of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico. In an effort to keep our patients informed about how best to combat this infection, we want to make the following information available. Below is information released on April 27, 2009 by the US Department of Health and Human Services?

Additionally, we want to refer you to information on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, which we hope you’ll find helpful. Go to the link at the bottom of this page for the most up to date information.

(April 27, 2009, Washington DC) The Department of Health and Human Services today issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration in response to recent human infections with newly discovered swine influenza A (swine flu) virus.

 “HHS is taking these steps today to be proactive in responding to this new influenza virus by offering national tools in support of community-led preparedness and response efforts,” Acting HHS Secretary Charles Johnson said.  “The declaration allows us the flexibility, while we learn more about the virus and its impact in the United States, to take additional steps to fully mobilize our prevention, treatment and mitigation capabilities should those actions become necessary.”

In addition to the declaration, HHS leaders are working together across operating divisions to coordinate response to the swine flu outbreak.  For example, the FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working  together to develop a vaccine precursor that could be used to develop a vaccine for this swine flu virus.

To date, there have been over 1,000 cases, in several states across the U.S.  No deaths in the U.S. have been reported due to the illness. Additional cases of the virus have been confirmed in Mexico and Canada.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs.  Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Swine Influenza | Swine Influenza and You