Presentation by the Eastern Cape Health Department to Avusa Port Elizabeth staff on Friday, July 17

1. Swine flu Influenza
Influenza A (H1N1)

2. What is Swine Flu
• Respiratory disease of pigs
• Caused by type A influenza viruses
• Causes regular outbreaks in pigs
• People do not normally get swine flu
• Human infection can happen
• Swine flu viruses have been reported to
spread from person to person

3. Background
• In late March and early April 2009, Human
cases were reported having the swine flu virus
• 1st report / cases in Southern California, San
Antonia, Texas and other US states.
• Other cases internationally were reported as
well

4. Is the Swine flu virus contagious?
• Swine flu influenza A (H1N1) virus is
contagious
• Spreads from human to human
• Its not known how easily the virus spreads
between people

5. Signs & Symptoms
• Similar to regular human flu – fever, runny nose,
sore throat, cough, body aches, headache, chills
and fatigue.
• However nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are also
common
• In the past severe pneumonia and respiratory
failure and deaths has been reported in people
• Like seasonal flu swine flu cause a worsening of
underlying chronic medical conditions e. g
diabetes etc

6. How does Swine flu spread?
• Similar to seasonal flu, (airborne)
• Sometimes people may become infected by
touching something with flu viruses on it and
then touching their nose or mouth.
• Infected people can infect others from day 1
up to day 7

7. Prevention measures
• 1st and most important -Wash hands
• Stay in good general health
• Get enough sleep, physically active, manage
your stress, drink plenty fluids, eat nutritious
food etc
• Do not touch surfaces contaminated with flu
virus
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

8. Medication
• Oseltamivir or zanamivir for treatment and
prevention of infection.
• Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that
fight against reproducing in your body.
• Treatment prevent serious complications
• Treatment to be started within 2 days of
symptoms

9. Infectious Timeframe
• As long as symptoms are present
• Follow illness onset up to 7 days
• Children might be potentially contagious for
longer periods

10. Sources of contamination
• Touching from infected areas to other areas
• Airborne through Droplet from cough,
sneezing of infected person
• Germs can spread when touching respiratory
droplets from person to surface areas

11. Live span of Virus
• Two hours or longer on surfaces e. g cafeteria
tables, desks, tables door knobs
• Frequent hand washing will help

12. Protection of self
• No vaccine available
• Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when
coughing, sneezing
• Discard tissue in bin after use
• Wash hands often esp. after coughing and
sneezing
• Use Alcohol based hand cleaners
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or the mouth

13. Protection cont.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people
• Stay home from work or school

14. What to do when getting sick
• If you have any symptoms, contact your
doctor or hospital or clinic
• If diagnosed with swine flu stay home in
isolation for 7 days
• Emergency medical signs for children– fast
breathing, or troubled breathing, bluish skin
colour, Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or interacting

15. Cont.
• Being irritable that a child does not want to be held
• Flu like symptoms improve, but return with fever and
worse cough
• Fever with a rash
• Medical signs –Adults:
– Difficult breathing or shortness of breath
– Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
– Sudden dizziness
– Confusion
– Severe or persistent vomiting

16. Can one get swine flu from eating
pork
• NO
• Not spread by food
• Eating properly handled and cooked pork
products is safe