New influenza virus causing illness among people. Mode of transmission is from person to person similar to the seasonal influenza virus.

Also called Swine Flu because laboratory tests showed many of the genes are similar to the influenza virus occurring in pigs in north America.

• Equal occurrence for males & females

• Predominant among younger adults (20+ y/o)

• Pneumonia is the most common cause of hospitalization & death

Signs and Symptoms:

• 1. Fever

• 2. Cough and colds

• 3. Diarrhea

Incubation period:  

1 to 5 days

Pandemic Level:

Phase 5 - "A sudden outbreak that becomes widespread affecting a whole region or continent."

There is now “human to human transmission of the virus causing sustained community outbreaks in at least two countries in one WHO region”.   In this scenario, it is expected that air travel can further spread illness thus increasing the risk of a full-scale pandemic.

RITM, Alabang, Muntinlupa City (Research Institute of Tropical Medicine) is equipped to examine samples for the virus.

Preventive Measures:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

• Wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

DOH also reiterated that pork is safe to eat and that the Mexican Swine Flu is not transmitted via consumption of pork. As a precaution however, the national government through the Department of Agriculture has already issued a “temporary suspension of all hog and pork imports from afflicted zones"

SOURCES:

1. Center for Disease control and prevention (Atlanta,GA)

2. Medscape Internal Medicine

3. Department of Health (Philippines)