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Swine
influenza
In response to the recent outbreak of human cases of
swine influenza A
(H1N1), the World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating the global
response
and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. WHO
has
expressed concern about the cases of swine flu currently being reported
in some
areas of Mexico and in the United States, but emphasizes that it is too
early to talk
about a beginning of a pandemic. “We cannot say if it will cause a
pandemic on the
basis of currently available laboratory, epidemiological, and clinical
evidence”,
stated a WHO expert committee after a meeting on Saturday, 25 April.
In Mexico, from 17 to 23 April, 1149 persons were investigated for
severe
respiratory disease (81 deaths, with a fatality rate of 6.2%). Of these,
856 cases (55
deaths, with a fatality rate of 6.4%) fulfil the case definition of an
acute febrile illness
associated with prostration, chest pain and tachypnoea.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
in Atlanta announced a total of 11 laboratory-confirmed human cases of
swine
influenza infection. Of these, 7 are in patients from California, 2 from
Texas and 2
from Kansas.
To date in Mexico, of 51 samples tested in the laboratory so far, 16
have been
found to be identical or very similar to the viruses implicated in the
United States.
Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, convened a meeting of the
Emergency Committee on 25 April to assess the situation and advise her
on
appropriate responses. On the advice of the Committee, the
Director-General has
determined that the current events constitute a public health emergency
of
international concern, under the International Health Regulations
(2005).
In line with the Regulations, WHO is advising all countries to enhance
surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe
pneumonia
and to immediately report any cases of unusual influenza-like illness to
WHO.
The swine influenza A/H1N1 viruses characterized in this outbreak have
not
been previously detected in pigs or humans. The viruses so far
characterized have
been sensitive to oseltamivir (Tamiflu), but resistant to both
amantadine and
rimantadine.
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