Swine Flu Update From GMS (April 24th): What You Need To Know

As you may be already aware, there have been several reports of a novel strain of swine influenza emerging in separate outbreaks in the United States and Mexico. In response, we thought it would be a good time to provide you with the latest information regarding what has happened and the potential implications of these events.

Concerns first arose when two pediatric cases of swine flu, a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza, surfaced in southern California. The unease was due to fact that when the strain in question was identified, it was found to contain a distinctive genetic makeup among human or swine influenza viruses that experts had not seen before. It became clear not only that the current flu vaccine would offer little protection against this virus, but that a large proportion of the population may be susceptible to infection. As of Friday afternoon (Apr. 24), there were eight confirmed cases of the virus in the South-Western region of the United States (Texas and California). So far, the cases in the US have been relatively mild; no deaths were reported, but one patient was hospitalized.

However, in addition to the cases recently discovered in the US, Mexico is facing a higher than normal rate of severe respiratory illness during the end of this year’s flu season. According to Reuters, Mexico has now reported over a 1,000 cases of influenza-like illness and it is believed that up to 60 people have died as a result of this virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that in 16 of the Mexican flu deaths, the virus was genetically identical to the virus in the eight cases of swine flu reported in the US; these similarities have just been confirmed by lab testing in the United States (the remaining 44 samples have yet to be tested).

Moreover, the majority of the Mexican deaths occurred in patients aged 25 – 45, which is worrisome as pandemic influenza strains have historically infected a larger than normal proportion of younger, healthier adults, while seasonal influenza generally affects largely the very young and the elderly. As a result of this high rate of illness, the Mexican government has implemented several public health measures, including the closing of schools and universities, along advisories against shaking hands when greeting, sharing food, and participating in public gatherings. The mass distribution of surgical masks to residents of Mexico City has also been reported.

According to the WHO, thus far the strain has been susceptible to both Tamiflu and Relenza, seasonal influenza antivirals that have been stockpiled around the world in preparation for an influenza pandemic. However, it does not appear that the older set of antivirals, amantadine and rimantadine, are having any effect. Currently, the WHO is having discussions regarding the possibility of raising the pandemic threat level to Phase 4, as there may be “evidence of increased human to human transmission of the virus”.

As for what you can do in the midst of all of this, now is the time to pull out your pandemic plan and begin considering the steps you have outlined for response in the earliest stages of the next pandemic. Global is actively monitoring the situation and we will strive to keep you abreast of what is happening, and what further steps should you be taking as this story unfolds.