World Health Organisation Takes Measures to Combat Swine Flu
The World Health Organisation today said that anti-viral medications, namely Relenza and Tamiflu, should be where possible restricted to use by those who are particularly vulnerable to influenza. They suggested that pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic diseases should be the main groups to get the medication. The organisation suggested that this would ensure the medications continued to combat swine flu in case it should mutate into a more dangerous strain.
This week it was confirmed that swine flu had spread now to 30 countries globally. New cases were reported in Thailand, Finland and China. The U.S now has the greatest number of confirmed cases, 3,009, with 116 people hospitalised and three deaths. In Mexico, where the infection is believed to have stopped spreading, there were 58 deaths confirmed to have been caused by the flu.
After the initial panic when the threat of a pandemic first became a real possibility, there has been a general release of breath after it was suggested that swine flu was only slightly worse than an average dose of seasonal flu. However, the WHO warns that we must not become complacent, as there is every chance the strain will return in a more virulent form as winter and autumn approach. “The overall severity of a pandemic is further influenced by the tendency of pandemics to encircle the globe in at least two, sometimes three, waves” they said in a statement.
A spokesperson from the U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also expressed fears that as other flu strains are still circulating, there is the possibility one or more could mix with the new strain of swine flu. Dr. Anne Schuchat said, “The working hypotheses for much of the influenza community right now is that this strain was circulating in pigs somewhere and eventually reassorted and was able to infect humans easier …Reassortment happens. And this means that the viruses that we’re seeing can exchange genetic material with other viruses that are circulating. This can happen in humans, in pigs, in birds.”
The CHCP urged that there be no delay in giving anti-viral medication to pregnant women due to the complications that might result from infection. These could include premature labour, pneumonia and dehydration. They said that the dangers of these possible complications were sufficiently grave to outweigh the dangers posed to the unborn child that the drug might affect them. One of the U.S deaths was that of a pregnant woman who did not take anti-viral medication.
Scientists are currently developing a vaccine against swine flu. It is expected that it will be some months before this vaccine is completed, but Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, said that the government is already starting to take steps to prepare a vaccination program against swine flu. They have struck a deal with manufacturers Baxter and GlaxoSmithKline to secure up to 90m doses before December. He warned that nationwide vaccination would take over a year, due to the amount of vaccine that would need to be manufactured and the fact that “international demand will be high”. Most countries have already rushed to buy Tamiflu and Relenza.
In a statement, he promised that vulnerable patients and front-line staff would be first to be vaccinated. “We are currently in negotiations with manufacturers to see if we can obtain early supplies at this pre-pandemic phase. We hope that this will enable us to vaccinate front line health and social care staff and vulnerable groups who prove particularly susceptible to infection before a predicted second wave hits.”
About the Author
Anara Ronk is a well known phrmacist. He has written many Articles on the base of Flu. He reommends you to visit http://www.theonlineclinic.co.uk/ for Relenza and Tamiflu.
