Influenza A(H1N1) - Update #3
Although this A(H1N1) influenza virus is genetically linked to swine, and occasionally to turkeys, scientists believe that the closest relatives of the new strain were previously found in North America and Europe/Asia.
What is still not clear is how humans first contracted this strain of the virus. Scientists are still trying to figure out if the virus recently underwent a mutation or whether there has been insufficient surveillance of swine populations detecting the virus. To better reflect the current understanding of the infection, the World Health Organization is referring to the virus as Influenza A(H1N1).
If you are planning international travel, consult your national public health agency to see if there are any travel advisories for your destination country. It is important to note that so far only certain municipalities in affected countries have reported isolated cases. For the geographical distribution of cases in Mexico, see IAMAT's travel health alert. (Click on Disease Risks and scroll down to 'Other Diseases of Interest to Travellers').
If you do travel, you will likely find yourself in crowded or confined areas. Remember to frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water and cover your sneezes or coughs. If you do not have access to soap, bring along a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The effectiveness of using facemasks or respirators in crowded places (planes, public transit) to prevent illness from this virus is not conclusive since they do not prevent transmission of the virus and often provide a false sense of security at the expense of recommended health sanitation practices. Ask your healthcare provider if a mask or respirator is recommended for you.
If you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms prior to going abroad, we highly recommended that you consider postponing international travel. If you are currently travelling and have become ill, seek medical attention immediately. See our Medical Directory online to access a IAMAT doctor overseas. If IAMAT does not have an affiliated clinic where you are staying, contact your Embassy or Consulate.
Again, it is important to keep the current situation in perspective. The seasonal flu is a greater threat to your health than the current human swine influenza outbreak. Based on World Health Organization statistics, the seasonal flu severely affects 3-5 million people and causes 250,000 to 500,000 deaths every year. To view up-to-date Influenza A(H1N1) confirmed cases go to the World Health Organization website.
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The prevailing scare on Influenza A H1N1, is it really a great cause for concern? Other deadlier and more highly communicable diseases are not getting the same media mileage as this Influenza A. Statistics by health organizations showed that other types of influenza have the same or even higher death rates as influenza A H1N1 but still they kept on scaring the public. We give them the credit that influenza A H1N1 is rather a new strain of virus which maybe is the reason why it gets them so excited.
Everybody knows that WHO promptly gave in to request to change the name from ‘swine flu’ to a new name of influenza A H1N1…(Laws of Marketing…’being first in a category’).
Also, was it because of the phased out vaccine on the influenza A that was ordered out of the market due to side effects? Pharmaceutical companies are well known to orchestrate scare campaigns to favor their products to pump up sales of available flu vaccines in the market…why?:
- Fact is, there are forthcoming expiring stocks in hundreds of millions of dollars of big MNCs out in the market.
- Fact is, this is an opportunity for the pharmaceutical company’s ability to regain losses from the R & D invested of the phased out vaccine by re-developing and re-launching again the phased-out influenza A H1N1 vaccine.
Contrary fact is, death and communicable statistics showed no great difference with other flu strains such as avian flu, ordinary influenza or S.A.R.S.
Big questions for big multinational pharmaceutical companies in the global economy competing with generics, isn't it???