Infection in human beings and animals, and its treatment possibilities

Swine flue - Infection in human beings and animals, and its treatment possibilities

Swine flue influenza is very common among pigs. About half of breeding pigs are exposed to the virus in the United States. The main cause for the transmission of this disease is transmission from infected to uninfected animals. During animal transport these close contacts are very common. The risk of transmission also increases due to intensive farming, because pigs are raised in very close proximity to each other. The direct transfer occurs through dried mucus or by pigs touching noses. Wild animals can also transmit this disease, like wild boar, which spreads disease in the farms.

People who work on poultry farm, having intensive exposures are more prone to get zoonotic infection. So important public health care measures should be taken which include vaccination of these workers and surveillance for new influenza strains among this population. The study shows that people whose job involves handling of poultry should be the focus of public health surveillance. Swine influenza strains usually have three different species; pigs, birds and humans. In this pigs act as host and virus may produce new and dangerous strains by exchanging genes. In china avian influenza virus H3N2 is endemic in pigs and also detected in pigs in Vietnam. H3N3 is evolved from H2N2 as a result of antigenic shift. New strain known as H5N1 was found in china in 2004. infection due to H5N1 is very common.

Little treatment beyond rest and supportive care is required, as swine flu is rarely fatal to pigs. The spread of the virus through the farm can be prevented by implying veterinary efforts. These efforts include vaccination and animal management techniques. To these disease antibiotics are used, but they don't have any effect against the influenza virus. They only help with bacterial pneumonia and secondary infections. Antiviral drugs can be used if person becomes sick, which make the illness milder and make patient feel better. Serious flu complications can also be prevented by using them. Antiviral drugs work best for treatment, if started soon after getting sick. Other measures include; palliative care focuses on controlling fevers and maintaining fluid balance. Use of Tamiflu and Relenza ia recommended by the US centre for disease control and prevention for the treatment of swine influenza viruses. However people make full recovery without use of medical attention or antiviral drugs. In the 2009 outbreak the virus was found resistant to the rimantadine and amantadine. On april 27, 2009, FDA issued emergency use authorizations so that Tamiflu antiviral drugs and Relenza can be made available to treat the swine flu influenza virus. The agency issued EUAs sso that treatment of the patients younger than the current approval should be allowed, and also for the widespread distribution of the drugs, which also includes non licensed volunteers. Proper care and maintenance of hygienic conditions will result in the prevention of this disease and good health conditions, and the use of various medicines can be avoided.

Tags: H1N1, influenza, pig, Swine flue, Tamiflu