Influenza is a disease caused by a virus which has multiple strains or types, some of which are more dangerous than others. Influenza is divided into three types: A, B and C. Type A influenza includes most human and all avian and swine influenza viruses.

Influenza viruses are divided into subtypes based on the two proteins, haemaglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), that they have on their surfaces. There are 16 recognized H types, and 9 N types, and these are known to occur in a number of different combinations - the combination that is the cause for current concern is H1N1.

No. Influenza, commonly called 'the flu', is a contagious respiratory disease in humans which causes fever, headaches, sore throat, body aches and congestion of the nose; it occurs every year, usually in winter. It causes illness in 5 out of 100 adults and 20 out of 100 children each year; it kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people around the world every year, mostly among the elderly and the very young.

Influenza A (H1N1), commonly called ‘swine flu', is the current name for a novel viral disease which is emerging world wide. It is expected that immunity in human populations will be low or not exist because it is a novel form of Influenza A.

Bird flu or Avian Influenza is the general term for a form of viral disease that affects birds. For years now the world heath community has been monitoring human infections of H5N1 and other related strains which were occasionally being passed from birds to humans. However, this strain never emerged with sustained human to human transmission. Avian Influenza can be further subdivided into highly pathogenic avian influenza and low pathogenic avian influenza. Unlike seasonal influenza, in which infection usually causes only mild respiratory symptoms in most people, H5N1 infection may follow an unusually aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and high fatality. Primary viral pneumonia and multi-organ failure have been common among people who have become ill with H5N1 influenza.

The swine flu, now renamed Influenza A (H1N1) has shown a rapid spread around the globe with human to human transmission occurring in multiple countries. As of now most cases outside of Mexico have been a mild form of the disease. Health officials are warning that in the future it is likely that we will experience more severe cases world wide.

H1N1 emerged only recently in its current form and has already spread to 8 countries. The rapid spread of a novel virus has the hallmarks of a breaking pandemic. In addition, most of the deaths in Mexico have been among healthy adults aged 20 – 50. While seasonal influenza will normally predominantly affect the very young and the very old, often with a pandemic is it the 20 – 50 year old age range that is hardest it. It is expected that the virus will continue to spread. In previous pandemics a mild wave has preceded a more severe phase by about 6 month.

Densely populated livestock areas are vulnerable to the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, and this is compounded by the presence of forest reserves and open water bodies in the production area, movement of animals, contamination of lorries, feed and other supplies, and hygiene on farms, the processing chain and markets. The widespread infections of commercial poultry flocks in many countries of Asia is not a total surprise. The region is known to form an influenza epicentre where birds, other animals and humans live closely together in conditions where viruses have the greatest opportunity to pass from one species to another.

A number of conditions make transmission to humans of a variety of disease agents more likely, including poor sanitation of chicken stalls in retail outlets, the proximity of markets to living areas, the absence of central slaughtering facilities, and, the practice of slaughtering chickens at the retail outlets without veterinary inspection.

More in general, avian influenza outbreaks can be considered as part of the process of global change. Traffic and trade dynamics create conditions for viruses, bacteria and parasites to hitch-hike around the world, affecting people, animals and ecosystems. Climate change alters the distribution and abundance of insect vectors, and influences bird migration and livestock concentrations. Urbanization, income rise and dietary changes create an increase in the demand for animal production.

Outbreaks of avian influenza, SARS, foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever and Rift Valley Fever are all believed to reflect instabilities in the production environment and perhaps in agro-ecology in general.

FAO is studying the linkages between disease occurrence in animals and diseases of animal origin in humans and environmental change, in order to better advice on the health implications of production changes in the future.

Influenza A (H1N1) is currently showing transmission person-to-person world wide. The virus may be shed in bodily fluids of an infected person. Although complete information is not yet available on the incubation and contagious periods currently incubation is expected to occur between 1 and 7 days and the patient is considered contagious for up to 7 days following disease onset, if still ill after seven days then the patient should be considered contagious until the symptoms resolve. Children may be contagious for a longer period of time.

Yes. The transmission of avian influenza refers to the passing of the disease from one animal to another (and in very limited cases from an animal to a human). The spread of influenza refers to the wide diffusion (geographically or throughout production and market systems) of the disease among a large number of animals.

Transmission
From what we know today, the influenza virus is being transmitted from person to person in multiple locations world wide.

Spread
This disease has spread to 8 countries worldwide.

Currently, the outbreak of H1N1 is not linked to the movement of pigs world wide. Although it is thought that this virus originated from mixing in swines the virus is showing transmission from person-to-person in multiple countries around the world.

Yes, the possibility of H1N1 spreading world wide is very real which is why the World Health Organization has raised the pandemic threat level to 5.

Yes, H1N1 has begun to show transmission person-to-person in multiple countries around the world. If transmission is sustained it is likely that a pandemic will be declared. An influenza pandemic is a rare event and has occurred only three times over the last 100 years (in 1918 with around 50 million deaths, in 1957 with almost two million deaths, and in 1968 with about one million deaths).

It is impossible to calculate the risk of a human pandemic. The H1N1 influenza virus meets the conditions necessary to cause a human pandemic. It can infect humans and causes serious illness, and is being spread between humans. We cannot predict the human toll this may cause but we can take precautions to protect humans and we can take action where influenza A (H1N1) is identified in a community.

The specific actions to be taken with regard to controlling marketing, imposing movement restrictions or quarantine measures, culling and vaccinating vary according to local circumstances and from country to country. There is no one solution for all situations, and a balance must be established among effective, feasible and socially acceptable control measures that safeguard the short- and long-term livelihoods of farmers and the health of the population. At this time there is no suggestion that Influenza A (H1N1) can be obtained from the consumption of pork.

Wash your hands often to kill and remove the virus. If you are ill cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Stay home if you are ill.

Influenza A viruses occur worldwide in a wide range of animals, including humans. Avian, swine and human influenza viruses can exchange genetic material when a person or other animal susceptible to infection is simultaneously infected with these viruses. The current strain of H1N1 is a novel virus which has spread quickly throughout the world. This virus is thought to have arisen from the reassortment (or mixing) of human, swine and avian viruses in pigs. This has created a completely new subtype of the influenza virus to which few, if any, humans have immunity and which is able to spread between humans.

The current strain shows person-to-person transmission and if this transmission is sustained then it is likely that a pandemic will be declared.

There is no way of estimating the complete human impact of a pandemic. At this time information is still emerging on the spread of the disease and the number of people infected. Deaths have occurred, but we need to obtain more information before we can completely understand what the mortality rate may be. Canada is better prepared to face a pandemic than ever before and as more information becomes available we will be better prepared to mitigate the costs of human lives.

Currently, no. There is no vaccine to protect people against the current strain of influenza A (H1N1), although research is under way to find a safe and effective vaccine for human use. There is however evidence that this strain of H1N1 will respond to antiviral drugs if taken immediately or soon after infection has started.

At this time there is no evidence to suggest that the virus is being transmitted through consumption of pork. As a precaution the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has asked producers, veterinarians and labs to increase surveillance and reporting of swine flu in pig farms. However, the CFIA states that there is no concern to the food chain.

At this time PHAC has recommended that Canadians avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico.

The public health measures that keep you well every flu season will help protect you now too. Stay at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from anyone who appears to be unwell, is coughing or sneezing or running a high fever. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol based gels. Maintain a general good health by eating a well-balanced diet, sleeping enough and being physically active.

If possible isolate the ill family. Minimize contact as much as possible. Wash your hands after contact with the patient. Keep areas in your house well-ventilated. Keep the area clean with normal household cleaners.

Stay home from school or work. Notify family members and friends that you are ill and minimize contact with them. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol based gels afterwards. Practice the “sleeve-sneeze” by coughing and sneezing into your sleeve.

Signs of swine flu in pigs include weight loss, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, reduced fertility or abortion, difficult breathing, depression, eye redness, coughing (barking), sneezing and fever. At this time the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recommending an increase in surveillance reporting of swine flu in Canada.

Pigs begin shedding the virus 24 hours after infection while the incubation period is considered to be 1 to 3 days. The incubation period is the time between infection and the appearance of signs of disease. "Shedding," as it applies to viruses, means that the animal's secretions and/or droppings contain viral particles that may infect other animals or people. In most cases pigs recover in 5 to 7 days.

The best way to limit the spread of the disease is to follow the general public health measures in place including washing your hands regularly, practice the "sleeve-sneeze", if you are ill stay at home and minimize your contact with family and friends. Increase ventilation areas to your home if someone is ill.

Soapy water and detergents are the first choice because the influenza virus is more simple to destroy than many viruses: it is very sensitive to detergents which destroy the fatty outer layer of the virus, and this layer is needed to enter cells of animals.

For extra protection it is advisable to use disinfectants, particularly in areas known to be affected by influenza A (H1N1). Disinfection helps prevent the mechanical spread of disease agents from one location to another by people, equipment and or supplies.