States put on high alert as swine flu cases spike across the country

States put on high alert as swine flu cases spike across the country

News: Several states have been put on high alert following a spike in cases of swine flu.

Facts:

• 49 swine flu deaths and 1,694 cases have been reported in just one fortnight from January 1-13 in the country, with highest cases occurring in Rajasthan at 31.
• All State governments have been asked by Union health ministry to create awareness about the spread, testing and prevention of swine flu.

About Swine Flu:

• H1N1 influenza (or swine flu) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus.
• Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans but sporadic human infections have occurred in people with direct exposure to pigs (e.g., children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry) but there have been cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu.
• Children below 5 years and adults above 65, patients with chronic pulmonary condition, neurological, neuromuscular or metabolic disorders, obese adults and pregnant women are in the high risk group.
• Its symptoms include fever, body ache, loss of appetite, sore throat, vomiting etc.
• Most people with flu, including swine flu, require only symptom relief. Medications do not cure the illness, but they may shorten the duration, make symptoms less severe.