By Catherine Stansberry
April 27, 2009
As of Monday 40 cases of swine influenza have been reported within the United States, the outbreaks so far localized to five states, Texas (2), Kansas (2), New York City (28), California (7), and Ohio (1). According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), this disease is spreading quickly and has the potential to become a pandemic, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, declaring a public health emergency in the United States Sunday.
According to the Associated Press, the World Health Organization has raised its global alert levels concerning the disease, but has not yet declared a global emergency. The suspected number of deaths in Mexico due to swine influenza rose to 149 Monday, with a total infection number estimated at 2,000. According to the AP cases have also appeared in Spain, Canada and Scotland, although in minimal numbers.
According to the CDC, swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of type A influenza virus in pigs, and can be contracted by pig-human interaction although rarely. Direct contact with infected swine, such as in the pig industry and pig livestock exhibits at fairs, is how the disease is passed to humans. According to the CDC, once a person is infected with swine flu he/she can transmit the virus to others through normal flu transmition processes, i.e. coughing, sneezing, touching infected areas and then touching one’s mouth, eyes, and nose.
Signs of infection in humans are similar to regular flu, symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue according to the CDC. Some infected persons have also reported vomiting and diarrhea, and in the past pneumonia and respiratory failure have also been associated with the virus. As of right now, the antivirul drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir are being used for treatment and/or prevention of the swine flu infection that is spreading throughout the US, Mexico, and other countries according to the CDC.
Western State cabinet members were set to discuss the swine flu epidemic at their weekly meeting Tuesday according to WSC Assoc. Vice President for Student Affairs Gary Pierson. “We want to be on the front end of this and be proactive,” Pierson said. “To be on the same page for our response and make sure everyone knows what the protocol is.” As of publication, no known cases of swine flu had been reported in Colorado, although according to an email sent out to Western students and faculty by Pierson the Gunnison County Incident Command System (ICS) will be meeting daily to stay alert of the situation and monitor the progress of the state regarding this issue.
ICS has been active for three years within the county, and according to Pierson all WSC protocol regarding pandemics is facilitated through them. At the time of publication, Pierson was unable to comment on what exactly the protocol of the ICS regarding WSC is in such cases. However, Pierson was confident that the group and Western officials would work together to control a possible epidemic incident within the community.
According to a press release from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Gov. Bill Ritter announced Sunday that he had taken precautionary measures for the state by requesting Colorado’s allotment of antiviral medication to be delivered from the federal national stockpile. “We are keeping in touch with federal authorities – particularly officials at the CDC,” said Gov. Ritter according to the press release. “We continue to monitor the situation and to be in contact with all of the local public health agencies in the state, as well as medical providers and pharmacies.”
For more information about swine flu visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or contact the WSC Health Center, 943-2707, 104 Tomichi Hall, Public Health at 641-0209 or the Colorado (CO-HELP) Help Line 1-877-462-2911.
Western State Writers Spring 2009 