New York: A deadly swine flu virus first detected in Mexico can no longer be contained, says the WHO. The US has declared a public health emergency to deal with the emerging swine flu.
50 cases of Swine flu have been confirmed in the US.
In India the biggest challenge for the government right now is going to be preventing and tracking potential cases of swine flu entering the country through ports or international airports.
Over the next few days, the government will be issuing advisories asking:
- people to defer non-essential travel to affected countries
- increasing surveillance at all ports here with a screening system for passengers coming from these nations
- getting states to review their preparedness in terms of guidelines, medicines and laboratory support
- 24x7 call centres to respond to public calls
So, what is swine flu? It is a respiratory disease that commonly affects pigs.
Though rare it sometimes affects humans who work closely with infected pigs like in a barn.
After that it can spread from human to human, like normal flu.
Its symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing.