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U.S. officials declared a public health emergency today over swine flu, now that 20 cases of the illness have been confirmed in the country, with 80 dead and 1,300 infected in Mexico.

Twenty cases—in California, Kansas, New York State and Texas, although none fatal—may not sound like a lot, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acting director Richard Besser told reporters in Washington, D.C., that is probably just the beginning. “We are seeing more cases of swine flu,” Besser said. “We expect to see more cases of swine flu. As we continue to look for cases, I expect we’re going to find them.”

So what is swine flu? Swine flu "is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs," according to the CDC. Humans are not usually affected, although such infections can happen. "Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person to person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people."

The virus responsible for the current outbreak, however—strain H1N1—is contagious between humans, says the CDC, although it's unclear just how easily that happens. "Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza," the agency notes in a Q&A. "Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose."

Symptoms of the swine flu are the same as those of other types of flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, all of which may be more severe in those who are already sick or have chronic medical conditions. To prevent it, the CDC urges hand washing, plenty of sleep, and drinking plenty of fluids. (You can't get it from pork, if you're wondering, although you may recall that pigs have also now been found to carry "superbugs".)

There is no effective vaccine against swine flu at the moment, but the CDC recommends using Tamiflu (olsetamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) to treat or prevent it. Tamiflu-maker Roche said today it was ready to deliver three million doses of Tamiflu, which is only available by prescription in the U.S., but typical flu viruses seem to be more and more resistant to the antiviral medication, as we've reported.

In 1976, with the lessons of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic never far from their minds, U.S. health officials responded to the death of a private at Fort Dix from the swine flu by launching a campaign to vaccinate 220 milion Americans against swine flu. The 1976 pandemic never came, leading many, in hindsight, to question the decision to vaccinate, although the 1918 Spanish flu strain was similar and killed a half million people in the U.S. and more than 20 million around the world.

See our in-depth report for more on swine flu and other outbreaks and pandemics.

1976 photo by the CDC of a public health clinician vaccinating a woman against swine flu

17 Comments

1. 1. minkelj 06:52 PM 4/26/09

   I think that Besser quote should read "We expect to see more _severe_ cases of swine flu."

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2. 2. kalwar.g 07:16 PM 4/26/09

   Dear Readers,
   
   http://mybheja.blogspot.com/2009/04/mr-swine-flu-is-on-way-to-earth.html
   
   SK

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3. 3. Cosmic 07:36 PM 4/26/09

   This is thought to have originated at a large factory farm in Mexico. Someone tell me why we raise pigs anyway? In some cultures they are considered unclean and there is a good reason for that.

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4. 4. minkelj 07:40 PM 4/26/09

   Oops, my bad - the AP used a different quote - http://is.gd/uL81

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5. 5. weingibz 08:33 PM 4/26/09

   That looks a lot like Benny Hill vaccinating a woman.

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6. 6. whpotter1188 09:38 PM 4/26/09

   I'm just glad that WHO and the CDC are proceeding cautiously but not in an alarmist fashion. Have you noticed how carefully words are being chosen? the last ting we need is an immmense world-wide imbroglio.

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7. 7. Porosiuk in reply to Cosmic 08:03 AM 4/27/09

   That is because pigs are tasty!

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8. 8. Ducktoes 10:55 AM 4/27/09

   I have faith that this will be contained, though it may claim the lives of some doctors. Here is a very good article about how SARS would have been a pandemic if not for the efforts of a few quick folks:
   
   http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=952

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9. 9. RyuMaou in reply to Cosmic 03:42 PM 4/27/09

   Why? Because pigs are made of BACON! And everyone knows "bacon makes it better"!

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10. 10. cyndyseverson 12:35 AM 4/28/09

    It sounds like the first case was from a pig farm to a human. There are pig farms all over Mexico. Does this mean that anyone living near a pig farm could get the flu virus from breathing the air?

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11. 11. menderk 08:32 AM 4/29/09

    I have been checking on this swine flu tracking website http://www.swine-flu-tracker.com/ on and off for the last couple of days now and its kinda scary seeing how it this strain of flu is spreading.

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12. 12. Shoshin 01:54 PM 4/29/09

    Who in the Obama Administration came up with the idea of "rebranding" the name "Swine flu" into something more politically correct?
    
    Utterly asinine. If this is an example of what drives this Administration I think that we all have a lot to be concerned about and need to watch them very closely.

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13. 13. hollyh 02:10 PM 4/29/09

    An Emerging Requirement - Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers
    
    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor has published OSHA 3328-05, 2007 Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers. Among other things the Guidance directly addresses the need for healthcare employers to establish a comprehensive respiratory protection program that includes all of the elements specified in 29 CFR 1910.134. Although, the Guidance does not technically carry the weight of a regulatory standard, OSHA may use its enforcement authority under the General Duty Clause, (Section 5(a) (1) once exposure has been shown.
    Regulatory Enforcement
    
    OSHA can do this because the General Duty Clause requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Citations may result when there is a recognized hazard and employers fail to take reasonable control actions. Pandemic influenza is a recognized hazard that will eventually materialize and there are reasonable steps that may be taken to control the spread of the disease. However, steps that are reasonable prior to a pandemic may nearly become insurmountable obstacles during a pandemic.
    
    Preparation is Essential
    
    For instance, according to OSHA and respirator manufacturers, there will be a worldwide shortage of respirators when a pandemic occurs. Surgical masks are not a substitute for respirators because they are not designed to prevent inhalation of airborne contaminants. On the other hand, bacteria and viruses are particles and can be filtered by particulate respirators. OSHAs Respiratory Protection standard requires the use of a NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) certified respirator, as well as, the implementation of a comprehensive respiratory protection program.
    
    However, there are three things that must occur before an employee uses a respirator.
    
    1. Employees must be medically evaluated and approved to wear a respirator.
    
    Medical evaluations can be performed by using a medical questionnaire or by performing an initial medical evaluation that obtains the same information as the medical questionnaire. The evaluation may be completed electronically through an online medical evaluation service such as OshaMedCert. The evaluation must be conducted during normal working hours or at a time that is convenient to the employee and employers are responsible for paying for the service.
    
    2. The employee must be fit tested to ensure that the respirator is working effectively.
    
    3. The employee needs to be trained to use the respirator.
    
    
    References:
    
    29 CFR 1910.134
    
    Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor OSHA 3328-05, 2007
    

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14. 14. arthos 11:54 PM 4/29/09

    Condition by Condition: Natural, Safe and Effective Treatments
    Are you looking for specific information about an alternative health treatment for an infectious condition? If so, this section of the website is for you.
    http://www.guardian-silver-health-supplements.com/natural-alternative-health-treatments/
    
    

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15. 15. arthos 11:55 PM 4/29/09

    we can put swine flu in this Perceptive
    http://www.guardian-silver-health-supplements.com/viral-infections/swine-flu/
    

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16. 16. yarismak 12:00 PM 7/18/09

    I have faith that this will be contained, though it may claim the lives of some doctors. Here is a very good article about how SARS would have been a pandemic if not for the efforts of a few quick folks:
    http://yarismak.com

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17. 17. andrawisnaser 03:09 PM 12/29/11

    oh i remember when the news spread about this flu and all the world was afraid of it thanks god we passed those days safely
    
    
    Andrw webmaster of http://www.hairstylesforthinhairhq.com

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