Swine Flu

What You need to know

For Employee Awareness

Background
• WHO (World Health Organization) has issued alerts against the developing situation
regarding the outbreak of swine flu A(H1N1).

• This awareness presentation provides a brief snapshot of the alert, symptoms of

Infection, preventive measures, travel tips and the need for exercising caution,
considering the existing global scenario.

• Media reports indicate affected countries as Mexico, USA, Europe, Canada with
reports of spreading across countries.

• Wipro is constantly monitoring the situation as a precautionary surveillance measure

and will issue any more alerts as required following this awareness presentation.

• This awareness presentation is supposed to serve ONLY as an aid to understand the

various details of the swine influenza and NOT for communicating any panic situation
at this point of time

• There is a global fear on a possible human pandemic predicted by experts in the bio
medical field considering the probability of infection in humans.
Brief Summary: Swine flu

• Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of

pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses.

• The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and
asymptomatic carrier pigs. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased
incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones.
• Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.

• Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes
are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2).

• Pigs can also be infected with avian influenza viruses and human seasonal influenza
viruses as well as swine influenza viruses.

• The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by
humans. Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time,
which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix.

• This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources,
called a "reassortant" virus. Although swine influenza viruses are normally species
specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause
disease in humans.
How Swine Flu outbreak emerged?

The name "swine flu" is a slight misnomer as it is believed pigs acted as a mixing pot for
several flu strains, containing genetic material from pigs, birds and humans. Most
humans have never been exposed to some of the antigens involved in the new strain of
flu, giving it the potential to cause a pandemic.

*Source: BBC News Website

How Swine Flu outbreak
emerged?...Contd.

The new virus has made the jump from pigs to humans and has demonstrated it can also
pass from human to human. This is why it is demanding so much attention from health
authorities. The virus passes from human to human like other types of flu, either through
coughing, sneezing, or by touching infected surfaces, although little is known about how
the virus acts on humans.

*Source: BBC News Website

Swine flu – Phases* & Current state*
Pandemic Phases & its risk levels
Phase Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6

New virus in Pandemic alert

Phase Inter-pandemic
animals, no Pandemic
description phase
human cases New virus caused no human cases
Evidence of Evidence of Efficient and
No or very
Low risk of Higher risk of increased significant sustained
limited human-
Risk level human human human-to- human-to- human-to-
to-human
cases cases human human human
transmission
transmission transmission transmission

Current State alert issued by World Health Organization (WHO) Risk Levels

  Low Risk
Medium
  Risk
Significant
  Risk
Very High
  Risk

*Source: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html
Human Infection…How it can happen?

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu
and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the
past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been
reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a
worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does Swine flu spread?

People usually get swine influenza from infected pigs, however, some human cases
lack contact history with pigs or environments where pigs have been located. Spread
of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way
that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person
through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may
become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their
mouth or nose.
Signs and Symptoms of flu infection:

Typical influenza symptoms include:

• Cough
Seasonal Vs Swine Flu
• Cold Flu
Occurs every year, Generally Unpredictable.
• Fever during winter Occurs
3 to 4 times in a century.
• pneumonia
Easy recovery from illness Severe illness leading to
• Sore throat fatality

• Running/stuffy nose Immediate vaccination

Vaccination may be availability/inefficiency
• Lethargy effective for new strains of virus

• Burning eyes Not rated as very dangerous Very dangerous, considering

Impact.
• muscle/joint aches

• Fatigue/weakness
What are we supposed to do?

• Just do not Panic or fear. Do not believe in rumors.

• Watch out for authentic media news reports through usual

communication channels

• Follow personal hygiene tips for safety.

• Check and Adhere to travel advisories if any.

• Practice safe food consumption habits.

• Exercise vigilance on environmental changes and contacts.

• Take good care of yourself and your family, with preventive

measures and awareness.
Precautionary measures & Safety tips

PERSONAL HYGIENE

• Cover your sneeze and cough well with a disposable tissue.

• Adhere to good hand washing/cleaning procedures especially after sneezing or

coughing. (Hand hygiene with simple soap and water).

• Avoid close contact with any wild birds/animals. Stay away from zoos.

• As a social distancing measure, avoid close contact with people who appear unwell
and who have fever and cough.

• Ensure your regular workplace is kept clean.

• Though no evidence of swine flu spread through eating non-vegetarian food, it is

essential to ensure proper cooking of food before consumption.

• If there is illness, immediately consult your General physician or Doctor’s Office.

Precautionary measures & Safety tips….
Contd.
TRAVEL CARE
• Personnel are advised to carefully consider their need to travel to Mexico at this time.
Personnel should consider relocating meetings to unaffected locations or alternative
working practices such as video-conferencing.

• Personnel considering travel to Mexico should be aware that if the virus continues to
spread, restrictions on movement may be imposed with little or no notice. Significant
further deterioration in the situation could lead the authorities in Mexico and other
countries to control/prohibit travel to and from effected areas placing restrictions on
local and international travel.

• International airports are currently operating normally in Mexico, though travelers are
being screened for symptoms of the virus. Personnel should allow additional time for
transiting through airports throughout the region because of screening procedures.

• Travelers should ensure that their medical insurance is up-to-date and that they know
how to activate it. Travelers should also check that their medical insurance is valid for
travel to Mexico at this time . Personnel should know where to seek medical
assistance during their trip.

• Travelers and expatriate residents should obtain preventative health advice and
regular updates from the World Health Organization and the
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monitor your health. If you develop
symptoms such as fever, cough, headache and muscle pain, seek medical attention
More Information

Reference Resources for more information:

4) World Health Organization - http://www.who.int

5) UK Health Protection Agency - http://hpa.org.uk
6) Department of Health, UK - http://www.dh.gov.uk
7) Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Swine Flu FAQ -

WHO Release