Skip to main content

Swine Influenza - Watch Out!

I am surprised when reading Kaltim Post newspaper (Monday, 27 April 2009) about the outbreak of Swine Influenza virus (Swine Flu). Immediately I browse the internet to find more information about these outbreak, and here of what I found for sharing.

What is Swine Influenza ?
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low (1-4%). The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.

Apprehensive Outbreak
On April 25th 2009, upon the advice of the Emergency Committee called under the rules of the International Health Regulations, the Director-General declared this event as Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

On April 26th 2009, the Government of United States has reported 20 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 (8 in New York, 7 in California, 2 in Texas, 2 in Kansas and 1 in Ohio). All 20 cases have had mild Influenza-Like Illness with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. Also as of 26 April, the Government of Mexico has reported 18 laboratory confirmed cases of swine influenza A/H1N1. Investigation is continuing to clarify the spread and severity of the disease in Mexico. Suspect clinical cases have been reported in 19 of the country's 32 states.

On April 27th 2009, on second meeting of The Emergency Committee, considered available data on confirmed outbreaks of A/H1N1 swine influenza in the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. The Committee also considered reports of possible spread to additional countries. On the advice of the Committee, the WHO Director-General decided to raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from the current phase 3 to phase 4. The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.

On April 28th 2009, seven countries have officially reported cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 64 laboratory confirmed human cases, with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Canada (6), New Zealand (3), United Kingdom (2), Israel (2) and Spain (2).

On April 29th 2009, the situation continues to evolve rapidly. Nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 91 laboratory confirmed human cases, with one death. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and the United Kingdom (5).

Click here for more information from WHO and please read the frequently asked questions about Swine Influenza.

Meanwhile according to Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. dr. Siti Fadilah Supari, Sp.JP(K) to the journalist in the press conference about Swine Influenza (Tuesday, April 28th 2009, in Jakarta), this virus usually only live in cold areas that have four seasons. Possibility, H1N1 virus will not be able to live in the tropics such as Indonesia. However, the Ministry of Health has undertaken vigilance steps and prevention in order not to spread to Indonesia.

Comments

  1. Sampeyan jaga kondisi kesehatan ya mas, ndak rela saya punya teman kena itu...

    Anehnya sekarang banyak peternakan babi yang ditutup di sini, aneh-aneh saja...

    ReplyDelete
  2. take care. mudah2an kita semua terbebas dari swine flu. agak2 mengerikan juga virus ini

    ReplyDelete
  3. walaupun di indo katanya ga bakal hidup virusnya, tapi tetep aja kita harus jaga kesehatan, saya juga lagi kena flu nih, mudah2an bukan flu babi nih yah...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Let us just hope and pray that this swine flu does not become a pandemic that will kill people around the world. Thanks for featuring it. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Emang macem2 tuh penyakit, meskipun ada pernyataan seperti itu ,..... kudu kite tetap harus be carefully.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Swine influenza, hm.....that's why we must be carefull with our health, especially our food.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is already pandemic in Mexico. Let's hope and pray that it would not spread and affect more countries.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for dropping by my site. Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  9. thanks for visit.

    i'm fine here :))

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maybe like bird flu or SARS it will not be as bad as we fear, but governments are right to take things like this seriously. Better to be prepared for the worst.

    I wouldn't be so sure about it not being able to live in Indonesia though. Mexico isn't far from the equator.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mudah-mudahan benar ya pak virusnya tidak bs hidup di Indonesia... Dan mungkin ini peringatan bagi manusia untuk berhati-hati dalam mengkonsumsi makanan... Masih banyak makanan lain yang sehat dan halal selain babi.

    Trimakasih atas apresiasinya di blog saya

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is pretty alarming!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is spreading in Asian countries and I am worried about our health's safety.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I talked to my dad today and he said that its getting bad out there.

    ReplyDelete
  15. rummuser2/5/09

    Mexico from where it has originated is not a cold country as you would expect. Better be safe than sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think this only happens temporarily, the case is rising in Asia but in Mexico from what I read is slowing down already...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Tikno how are you, hope your doing well... Yes we are watching for the flu is has hit close to our area but I think it will be okay... Sorry havent been around much but just really havent felt like blogging for a while, lots weighing on my mind, sometimes I think my head will burts from all the so many things rushing through it... Thanks for stopping by, your friend JK...

    ReplyDelete
  18. @Suryaden - Thank you very much for your attention to me. Be careful my friend.

    @Yendoel - Hopefully, but better prepare ourselves.

    @Bayu Nugroho - Agree. You better go to the doctor to make sure that is not swine flu.

    @Mel Avila Alarilla - WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan decided to raise the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5.

    @Setiawan Dirgantara - I agree with you.

    @Newsoul - What food that you mean. As I know, there is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked foods.

    @Rossel - We all hope like that. The most important is each government to take measures of prevention.

    @FilmAsia - I'm glad you fine but be careful.

    @Neil - You are right. As the bird flu virus also enters tropical countries including Indonesia. In the newspaper I read that a researcher from Indonesia also argue the statement of our Health Minister.
    How about Australia ?

    @Mulyati - I do not believe the virus can not live in Indonesia. Neil's comment is true.

    @Ryliej - Yes!

    @Chubskulit - Yes, I'm also worries here.

    @John - I pray for your family. Are public facilities such as schools are still open there?

    @Rummuser - I also disagree to our Health Minister statement.
    How about India ?

    @Benwl - I feels this is not about "temporarily". This has become pandemic.

    @JK - Glad to hear from you again. I pray for you, Nancy, and your family still in good health. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous4/5/09

    Hi there. Don't let all of the media and hype scare you! In the US there are 36,000 cases of the "regular" flu every year that kill folks. THat means the "normal" flu kills 100 people a day.

    The H1N1 (they are calling it Swine Flu) isn't nearly that potent.

    Keep your eyes and ears open, but I'm wondering why they are being so crazy about all of the news. It's truly not as bad as they keep saying it seems.

    Hmmm.

    Stay well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. hi Ely! blog hopping here. have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Semoga dengan pengalaman mengatasi flu burung, penyakit dapat di atasi dengan baik.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Monica Nichols,
    Your comment provide different color. But we better be careful. Nobody want to ill.

    Rossel,
    Thank you.

    Seno,
    hopefully.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Even though the swine flu seems to be slowing down, experts are saying it could lay low over the summer and come back with a vengeance come the fall.

    ReplyDelete
  24. wah... swaine flu emang bahaya bngt... jd ngeri nih semoga gak masuk ke indonesia :(

    ReplyDelete
  25. Geez, I think things already cooled down recently. Media's continuous publication of swine flu scared me for awhile, ahaha, I wore mask on the day first suspected case of swine flu was found in Japan. :D

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sapphire,
    Maybe. Thank you for your comment.

    Lyla,
    Like Sapphire and Bung Tobing said, it seems has slowing down.

    Bung Tobing,
    How you feel by using mask? comfortable?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Its good to see another blogger of my same category coz I seldom see bloggers of our category...

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hannah,
    Seems we are same, write anything that we want to write. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  29. A(h1n1) just got here in our place, and Nueva Ecija is in-eye of it! thanks for your posts!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Karla Marie,
    Be careful. I hope all going well. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

NOTE: comment moderation is activated due to a lot of spam comments. Comments containing racial hatred, personal attacks, or advertising are strictly prohibited.

POPULAR POSTS LAST 7 DAYS:

Christmas Contemplation When The Bell Ringing

A few days ago, I visited a mall to buy something. The atmosphere was very rousing with Christmas decorations and I believe also occurs around the world. Producers take advantage of Christmas moment to compete and increase sales with tempting offers, such as: discount 20%, 30%, 40%, buy one get one, etc. Parents are busy thinking of what gifts should be purchased, and children imagining of what the gift they will get. Many people calculate their money for the best holiday package. That's NOT wrong! But... when the bell is ringing.... Before: Christmas is the birth of Savior! Now: Santa, where is my gift? Before: That is the beginning of the redemption of our sin. Now: Let's be happy for welcoming Christmas and new year. Before: Jesus has come in simplicity. Now: Let's go holiday ! I'm just imagining the genuine spirit of why we celebrate Christmas has gone. And... in this opportunity, I want to tell you that the Christmas bell resounding the call to the soul to follow t

Chinese New Year 2560 - Gong Xi Fa Cai

On January 26th 2009 (Indonesian time) the Chinese people around the world celebrate the Chinese New Year 2560th (old enough I think). It's sometimes called the Lunar New Year . Following tradition, at the night one day before the first day of new year, all family members gather together for dinner. The chosen venue usually at the home of the most senior member of the family or at restaurant. After dinner, usually followed by giving the red envelopes ( Hongbao in Mandarin; Angpao in Indonesian) from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors, and the junior member give respect by saying the hope for health, happiness, and long-aged to the elderly. Prayer at the temples and visiting the other elderly relatives is the next schedules. In Indonesia, I noted that since the era of President Abdurrahman Wahid (also known as Gus Dur), the Chinese culture such as lion dance (Indonesian called Barongsai), the use of Chinese characters and Chinese red paper lantern for decor

VETO VS DEMOCRACY

In this post I only quotes the things associated with the two words above. Please use your sense and read carefully to find and feel the fundamental differences from it. VETO According to Wikipedia : A veto, Latin for I FORBID , is used to denote that a certain party has the right to stop unilaterally a certain piece of legislation. In practice, the veto can be ABSOLUTE (as in the U.N. Security Council, whose permanent members can block any resolution). In the United Nations Security Council, the five permanent members (the United States, Russia, the People's Republic of China, France and the United Kingdom) have veto power in substantive matters, though NOT in procedural ones. If any of these countries votes against a proposal, it is REJECTED , even if all of the other member countries vote in favor. According to Global Policy Forum : "The five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States) ENJOY the privilege of veto po