INFLUENZA ATTACK - PART TWO

(NOTE: This post/article is heavily-fuel. If you are unsure of what you are reading, it is absolutely normal. Please contact the author if you have found any inquiries about the topic. Questions are welcome]

To read the previous article regarding the introduction, read here.

SWINE FLU: THE OUTBREK BEGIN

After some introduction regarding the virus itself, where on the last part, I talked about the common influenza virus, let's talk about the outbreak. Due to the current condition where the concern of an outbreak of a new pandemic influenza virus is beginning to plague the world community. However, contrary to normal flu where hospitalization and deaths are common in high-risk groups like elderly and chronically ill patients, the Swine Flu affected the normal healthy people more severely.

The 2009 Swine Flu, or more appropriately H1N1 or Mexican Flu began back in the early of this month. In early reports, many thought that it is a common winter-seasonal flu of the subtype of H1 that annually hit the northern hemisphere during the winter. Early outbreak has been reported but not until April 24 that the scientist had it confirmed as a new strain of influenza virus. Analysis done at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified four different genetic assortment components in this new strain, from human flu, avian flu and swine flu viruses.

STATUS OF OUTBREAK

The centre of outbreak, La Gloria in Mexico has initially reported an unusual respiratory illness back in February. The first suspected case of H1N1 was recognized on March 18, while it was uncertain and difficult to predict how great the outbreak would be.

April 13, the first person died of the swine flu and WHO was later been notified about the outbreak to maintain a pandemic alert. However, after the report of the first death case in USA, confirmed as a H1N1 Swine flu, World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert to Phase 5.

Due to the gravity of the outbreak, the Swine Flu is regarded as a major threat and possesses high chances for another major global pandemic.

HOW BAD IS SWINE FLU

So far, Mexico as the epicentre of the outbreak has reported the most number of cases and deaths so far. While its neighbouring nations have also taking the toll of its effect, the flu has spread to several nations outside the Northern America continent but no cases of death recorded yet.

LATEST
DEATH: 177 (9 CONFIRMED)
ILL: 3,872+ (244 CONFIRMED)
COUNTRIES WITH DEATH: 2
COUNTRIES AFFECTED WITH CONFIRMED CASES: Mexico, USA, Canada, Spain, UK, New Zealand, Germany, Israel, Costa Rica, Peru, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands

** Sorry for the long lectures that leave many clueless. Again, this post is not made to confuse but should be used as merely to point out how deadly an influenza virus can be. Although in normal cases of influenza can still kill about 1% of those who catches it. In a severe and deadly types; H5N1 can kills half of those who catches it.

In part three of the series, we will look at how to prevent and protect yourself from Swine Flu.

@@(Sources from Wikipedia, CDC)