There is a potential pandemic threat from the Swine Flu Virus, which is also known as the H1N1 Influenza Virus. Swine Flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs; however the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the H1N1 virus is spreading from human to human. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population. The symptoms for Swine Flu are similar to the seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Health professionals are concerned about the possibility that this virus could cause an influenza pandemic for the following reasons:

• It is a combination of human and swine influenza viruses never before seen.
• The age group most affected is healthy, young adults usually under 25 (unlike seasonal flu).
• Pregnant women are at increased risk of complications
• Many people have no immunity to the flu produced by the virus.
• Deaths seem to be occurring in people with underlying health conditions that existed before the onset of the infection.
• Like other influenza viruses, it continues to evolve.

Cause for Concern

The CDC is predicting that the number of H1N1 infections will increase during the 2009-2010 Winter Flu Season and is encouraging vigilance to control the spread of the virus. A Swine Flu vaccine is currently being developed and may be available before the start of the Winter Flu Season. According to the CDC, Oseltamirvir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza) are currently being used for both the treatment and prevention of Swine Flu.

At this time, the current strain of the H1N1 virus has not caused influenza as deadly as first anticipated. This lack of severity caused the World Health Organization (WHO) to consider whether mortality rates should be taken into account prior to declaring a Phase 6 Pandemic — the highest level indicating that a global pandemic is underway.