Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Swine Flu Watch and FAQ

PUTRAJAYA: Some 200,000 frontliners including police and immigration personnel on duty at airports will be given flu jabs as a precautionary measure (The Star Online, Updated)
GENEVA: Swiss flu medicine producer Roche ups its preparedness (Earth Times)
BANGKOK: Public health offices ordered to stock up on flu drug nationwide (The Nation)
NEW YORK: 10 Countries Ban Pork Imports Over Swine Flu Fears (New York Times)
SEOUL: Five more Koreans being tested for swine flu (AP report in GMANews.TV)
SACRAMENTO: Sacramento scientists join race to decode new swine flu strain (The Sacramento Bee)
BEIJING: China offers Mexico US$5m in swine flu aid (China Daily)
LONDON: Every household in Britain is to receive a leaflet giving advice on preventing the spread of swine flu (ITV.com)
LONDON: Health Department orders 32 million face masks (The Telegraph)
NEW YORK: Experts says very low chance of swine flu outbreak becoming a pandemic (New York Times News Service)
MEXICO CITY: Mexico's Mystery: Why Is Swine Flu Deadlier There? (TIME Online)
KUALA LUMPUR: Overseas missions asked to monitor (The Star Online)
KINGSTON: Swine flu responds to antiviral drugs (Health editorial, The Gleaner, Jamaica)
EDINBURGH: Scotland ‘could help combat flu’ (BBC Online)
WELLINGTON: New Zealand confirms swine flu cases (Al-Jazeera)
MEXICO CITY: New swine flu infections intensify travel fears (Reuters)
BOSTON: Still few answers as swine flu, fear spread (The Boston Globe)
Earlier Stories:Malaysia expands screening of visitors to all entry pointsMAS offers flight changes at no chargeMalaysian students in US an anxious lotMCA squad to provide info on swine flu

Swine Flu FAQ
What is swine influenza?
It is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. It regularly causes high flu outbreaks in pigs but with low death rates. There are four main sub-types of the virus, but the most recent isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

How does it spread?
Swine flu viruses do not typically infect humans though they do occur through close proximity or contact with infected pigs or contaminated areas. Cases of human-to-human spread have been documented.

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are similar to those of regular flu:- Fever- Lethargy- Runny nose- Cough- Sore throat- Lack of appetite- Vomiting and diarrhoea in some cases.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?
In the past reports of about one human swine flu virus infection had been received every one to two years in the United States. From December 2005 till February 2009, 12 cases have been reported.

Has this strain of flu been seen before?
No. Flu mutates constantly, so it is common for new strains to emerge. Pigs can also be infected with both human and avian influenza, and the current circulating swine flu strain appears to contain genetic elements from all three.

Can swine flu be treated with antiviral drugs and flu vaccine?
The swine flu is resistant to two common drugs – Amantadine and Rimantadine. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are very different from human H1N1 viruses. Therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection. However, a “seed vaccine” has been specifically tailored to this swine flu and will be manufactured if officials deem it necessary.

Can people catch swine flu by eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 70ºC and above kills the swine flu virus.

How long is someone with swine flu considered contagious?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic; possibly for up to seven days following the onset of the illness. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from the swine flu?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against the swine flu.
However, you can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by:
- Covering your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or handkerchief when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the waste basket after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also helpful
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people. - If you get sick with influenza, stay at home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Consult your nearest healthcare facility if you think you have any of the symptoms.


Which countries have had cases of the swine flu?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed human cases of swine flu in Mexico, the United States, Canada and Spain. Only Mexico has reported deaths from the new strain.

Are there any travel restrictions or advisories for Malaysians?
The Health Ministry on April 27 advised Malaysians against travelling to certain places in the United States, Mexico and Canada which have been affected by the swine flu.

What precautions are in place in Malaysia?
- The Health Ministry’s operations room in Putrajaya has started a 24-hour monitoring of the situation. The public can call 03-8881 0200/300 for enquiries.
- Those returning from Latin American countries and found to have flu-like symptoms will be quarantined.
- Health Ministry officials are conducting health screenings on passengers arriving from the United States.
- Thermal scanners will be placed at international airports to speed up the screening process for swine flu.
- Public and private medical practitioners have been instructed to report to the district health office any patient with influenza-like illnesses or severe pneumonia symptoms and who had travelled to the affected countries after April 17.
- Owners of the 797 pig farms nationwide have been ordered to immediately contact the nearest Veterinary Services Department office or the Animal Disease Control Centre if their workers or animals show symptoms linked to the swine flu.

Where can I get more information?
For more information, go to the Health Ministry (http://www.moh.gov.my/) or call the Ministry's hotline at (03) 8881-0200/300.
Useful Links: World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ Homeland Security Department: http://www.dhs.gov/ WHO swine flu page: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Saturday, April 25, 2009

New Driving Force GT.....enjoys!





New toy for my kids! Logicool really cool. (17000yen)

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Tuesday, April 07, 2009