Swine Flu in Pakistan

Posted by Editorial Team on April 1, 2014 in General | Total 166 Views

Diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans and
humans to animals are called Zoonotic Diseases and
this phenomenon is called Zoonosis. The diseases that
are transmitted from humans to animals are sometimes
called Reverse Zoonosis or Anthroponosis.
Different animals have a potential to carry these diseases
to humans. The diseases which are transmitted from
animals to humans, they pose a serious threat to the
communities of human populations particularly in those
areas where veterinary infrastructure and services are
poor. The transmission of these diseases is through several
ways including meat, milk, infected blood, direct contact
and indirectly by infected environment of farm.
An estimation was made in 2005 that there are 1407
species of infectious pathogens in humans and 58% of
them are those which are common in humans and
animals.
There is a long list of zoonotic diseases caused by bacteria,
viruses, parasites and fungi. Some of the important
zoonotic diseases are babesiosis, cholera,
cowpox, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever,
leptospirosis, malaria, Q- fever, salmonellosis, toxocariasis
and toxoplasmosis, etc. One of the biggest issue arising
now a days in Pakistan and globally is Swine Flu
infection which is also categorized under the zoonotic
diseases. On the globe it is declared as pandemic and
raised its pandemic alert level to Phase-5 out of 6
maximum.
In Pakistan it was first reported in 2009 in people
belonging to Rawalpindi and Kashmir and now a-days its
a hot issue in Southern Punjab like Multan, DG Khan,
Taunsa Sharif and Khanewal etc.
History and Zoonosis:
In early 1930, influenza virus was isolated in pigs in
America. This was H1N1 subtype virus and its isolation
from pigs was followed by 1918 human H1N1 influenza
pandemic that claimed over 40 million lives around the
world. Recent evidence clearly indicates that the 1918
human viruses and 1930s swine viruses were closely
related. However it is still unclear that whether these
viruses first appeared in humans and then spread to pigs
or vice versa. Although the transmission of this virus from
pigs to human is not very common. It is believed that
swine have receptors for attachment of both avian and
mammalian influenza viruses, which increase the potential
for viruses to exchange their genetic material and produce
new re-assorted sequences of viral genomes. In 1974, the
zoonotic nature of this virus was confirmed when classical
swine influenza virus infections were documented in U.S
with fatal consequences. Swine flu is basically an RNA
based viral respiratory infection of pigs as indicated by its
name and it is also called as Pig flu, Hog Flu or Swine
Influenza. It is caused by different strains of Swine
Influenza Virus (SIV). This virus belongs to Influenza-A
viruses in the family of Orthomyxoviridae. The most
common subtypes of this virus are H1N1, H1N2, H3N2,
which are seen in swine. Among these H1N1 is relatively
stable subtype, mostly causing swine influenza. This strain
is historically associated with classical swine influenza.
This Influenza virus is able to infect Human, Swine and
Avian (Birds) species. Virus comes from the infected
pig/hog handlers into the environment and then itattaches
to the surface of nose, throat, and lungs through
aerosol/cough. After attachment, these are engulfed by the
host cell.Inside the cell they overtake the function of cell
and release their own genome for replication. They make
their own viral proteins with the help of viral mRNA.
These proteins and RNA then migrate to the cell surface,
assemble into new virus particle. The new virus then
comes out from the cell surface and released in the body
causing infection. This viral infection is then again
transmitted through cough and sneezing to other
surrounding people. Its transmission is very rapid from
humans to humans.
Swine Flu in Pakistan- an alarming situation:
Swine influenza is a deadly virus which spreads through
pigs, birds and infected migrated people and this virus
kills the humans within no time. On June, 2009 the health
ministry confirmed the countrys first swine flu case in a
young boy of 14 years old (Dawn News). In Sindh, 52 cases
positive for swine flu were reported on Dec 24, 2009. In
April, 2010 the ministry data showed 76 patients positive
for this virus while nine deaths occurred. In 2011, 108
positive cases for swine flu were reposted in Swabi and
Karachi (Dr. Rashid Juma Said in Central Asia Online).
Now in 2014, swine flu outbreak is again seen in Multan,
Khanewal, Taunsa and DG Khan districts of Southern
Punjab.More than 10 cases of swine flu have been seen in
these districts resulting in 5 mortalities (Dawn News:
March 10, 2014). Swine Flu has been declared as pandemic
by WHO and US CDC. In a Muslim country like Pakistan
where there is no as such source of this virus, but the only
source is, the migrant people from abroad. According to a
survey on Aug, 2009 about 2 million Pakistanis live in
Saudi Arabia, Europe, North America, and other countries
where the swine flu pandemic has appeared. Similarly in
our neighbor country India, In Oct. 2013 there were 13000
cases reported for swine flu with 444 deaths, starting from
a 13 years old girls death. So where we are lacking of
medical, technical and diagnostic facilities in developing
country like Pakistan, to report such cases are really
alarming situation and needs attention.
Signs & Symptoms in Humans:
In humans its signs and symptoms are same as seasonal
influenzas. The Patient may suffer from fever, cough, sore
throat, headache, muscle and joint pain, nasal congestion,
body aches, chills and fatigue. However, 25% symptoms of
diarrhea and vomiting are reported in this infection.
Similar to seasonal influenza the patients which are
considered at high risk include young children <5 years,
the elderly >65 years, pregnant women, chronic issues of
asthma, smokers, heart patients and who are
immunosuppressed. It is also observed that affected
person could be contagious for up to 10 days.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical signs, but it is
necessary to differentiate it with seasonal influenza due to
its zoonotic and fatal property. For this purpose the
persons are confirmed for swine flu if they have travelled
from an area where swine flu was endemic, they have been
exposed to infected pigs, pregnant women or
immunosuppressed patients. Furthermore, the tests like
antibody test in blood, PCR, ELISA, nasal swab and throat
swab, culture of viral sample with the help of RT-PCR
(Real Time PCR) can be performed. RT-PCR is authentic
in rapid detection of virus and we can get results in 24
hours, but this facility is not available in Pakistan.
Treatment:
Antiviral drugs can only be used to cure this disease. They
are effective against the disease and improve the condition
of the patient. Tami-flu is an antiviral drug which is
available for swine flu in Pakistan. Besides, supportive
therapy should be applied for fever, dehydration and pain,
if these conditions exist. Antibiotics can also be used if
there is any secondary infection. All treatment should be
under the consultancy and observation of a doctor.
Strategies and suggestions against Swine Flu:
Govt. has introduced trivalent seasonal flu vaccine on all small and large govt. hospitals.
Vaccination Program before travelling to the countries where swine flu is pandemic.
A laboratory network has been established in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar to sort out the problem of
this virus.
Apart from these strategies, there are certain suggestions that must be followed to cope with the problem of swine
influenza.
Govt. must play its role to aware people and to facilitate doctors with trainings and technologies.
A specific amount must be fixed to import the vaccine stock against swine flu
Media must play its role in awareness campaign against swine flu.
Precautionary measures should be adopted at all international airports to check the passengers coming from
infected countries.
Prevention from Swine Flu:
Ensure washing of hands with soaps and water thoroughly and frequently
Clean all the surfaces regularly
Always carry tissues with you to cover your mouth and nose particularly during coughing or sneezing
The person who has got the infection of swine flu should stay at home because he/she can transmit it to others
within a duration of 24 hours
Stay away from the crowd as much as possible particularly if you are less than 5 years old or more than 65 years
old
If someone has got the infection at home, he/she must minimize the exposure with households
The patient of H1N1 must stay at home and should not go to school, college, university or on his/her job