Swine Flu
Swine influenza is a disease in pigs. The virus currently transmitting among people is now generally referred to as swine flu, although the origin of the disease is still under investigation. There is no evidence of this strain of the disease circulating in pigs in the UK.
Swine influenza does not normally infect humans, although this occasionally does occur - usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.
Swine influenza viruses are usually of the H1N1 subtype. The current swine flu that has spread to humans is a version of this virus. The virus has been spread by person-to-person contact (see Causes).
What is the current situation?
Human infection with swine flu (H1N1) viruses has been confirmed in Mexico, the US, Canada, the UK, and other countries.
This has given rise to concern that the outbreak could become pandemic flu - a global outbreak of flu that spreads quickly because it is a new type of virus that few, if any, people have resistance to.
A flu pandemic is a natural event that occurs from time to time. Last century, there were flu pandemics in 1918, 1957 and 1968, when millions of people died across the world.
These pages aim to inform you about the current swine flu outbreak and pandemic flu and advise on the important measures to take if a flu pandemic breaks out.
How is swine flu different from seasonal flu or bird flu?
Seasonal flu, caused by an existing flu virus, is a common infection in the UK that usually occurs during a two-month period in winter. For most people, it is an unpleasant but not life-threatening infection. People who are more at risk from it, such as older people, can be given a vaccine each year (see Useful links, right).
Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is influenza that, as its name suggests, is usually confined to birds. However, like swine flu, it can also sometimes be caught by people and by pigs.
If swine flu or bird flu do spread in people, it can be very serious and can cause death.
A pandemic occurs when a new flu virus appears in the human population and spreads from person to person worldwide. It is likely that such a virus will be caused by a bird or animal virus mixing with the human virus (see Causes).
It is possible that an outbreak of pandemic flu will cause more illness and many more deaths than ordinary flu.
Is a flu pandemic imminent?
A pandemic could happen any time, but we cannot predict exactly when it would start. The swine flu virus could lead to a pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring cases of this new flu virus.
The WHO has defined stages in the progression of a pandemic. We are currently at Phase Five of six phases (a pandemic is confirmed at Phase Six).
What can we do?
The single most effective way to stop or slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu is to prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or an antibacterial hand gel if you are out and about, and cover your mouth with a tissue if you cough or sneeze, disposing of the tissue immediately (see Prevention for more detailed information).
You should also think about what you would do if you and your family all became ill. Who could you rely on for support, such as to collect medicines or shop for you?
What is the government doing to prepare?
GPs and hospitals across the UK are preparing for a pandemic, and the UK government is working with the WHO to monitor the situation.
If pandemic flu does arrive in the UK, antiviral medicine will be used to treat people who become ill (see Treatment).
A viral strain which can be used to make a vaccine against swine flu has now been produced by UK scientists. The UK has agreements with manufacturers to produce a vaccine over the following months.
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