A swine influenza virus (SIV):
could be any strain of the influenza viruses family which is usually hosted by pigs. the known swine influenza virus strains are subtypes of the influenza A virus known as H3N1, H1N2, H1N1, H2N3, and H3N2 and the influenza C virus. Swine flu disease is common in pig populations all over the world .
transmission
- Transmission of swine influenza virus from pigs to humans
is not common and not necessairly cause human influenza,
often only cause the production of antibodies in the blood.
The meat of the animal if properly cooked , there is no risk of
transmission. If transmission does cause human influenza,
it is called zoonotic swine flu. People who work with pigs,
especially people with intense exposures, are at high risk of
catching swine flu .
The 2009 swine flu outbreak in humans is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that contains genes closely related to swine influenza
Signs and symptoms of swine influenza in swine are :
fever, lethargy, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and decreased appetite In some cases the infection can cause abortion. And mortality is usually low
Signs and symptoms of swine influenza in humans are :
fever, cough, headache, body aches, chills , fatigue ,sore throat, diarrhea , and vomiting .
treatment
- WHO recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prophylaxis against infection with swine influenza viruses; but the majority of people infected with swine influenza virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs. Swine influenza virus isolates in the 2009 outbreak have been found resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.
vaccine
luckely , just a few days ago , novartis pharmaceutical company announced that the first patch of vaccine for prophylaxis against the disease of influenza of pigs has been produced , and each person will need 2 doses of such vaccine
