Influenza Virus
Latest Update:
WHO (World Health Organization) is monitoring and compiling surveillance data or case reports and continues conducting ongoing investigations of this worldwide outbreak. As of 06:00 GMT, 27 May 2009, 48 countries have officially reported 13,398 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 95 deaths.
Laboratory-confirmed deaths of new influenza A(H1N1):
Canada = 921 cases , 1 death
Costa Rica = 33 cases , 1 death
Mexico = 4541 cases , 83 deaths
United States of America = 6764 cases , 10 deaths
As of May 27, the virus had spread to more than 50 countries; however, over 80% of reported deaths have taken place in Mexico. This has led to speculation that Mexico may have been in the midst of an unrecognized epidemic for many months prior to the current outbreak.
Source: World Health Organization
Wikipedia
At present, scientists simply do not know why the virus have caused death in adults between ages 20 and 40 for the most part. One valid possibility has to do with antibody cross-reactivity(the ability of an antibody generated from previous exposure to an antigen to react with a similar antigen on the new strain of virus). And why older people? Because they have been alive longer and have been exposed to more antigens than younger individuals, may possess a sort of “background immunity.” And because younger people do not have this immunity, they may be more naive to severe illness.
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
Facts:
☻H1N1
= H (hemagglutinins), N (neuraminidases)
☻Symptoms
= sudden fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, sore throat,
runny nose, fever and body aches last 3 to 5 days, sometimes
vommiting, nausea and diarrhea
☻ How you'll get the flu?
= generated by coughing, sneezing, talking, spitting distance,
contaminated hands or surface, and microscopic droplets
☻Origin
= typically swine catch Influenza A from pigs, but can be infected with
strains from birds and humans
NOTE: can't catch it by eating pork
☻How it is treated?
= can be treated with antivirals that are neuraminidase inhibitors
Source: The Center for Biopreparedness
Education
