Return of Influenza A/H1N1 virus
Well... it's been about a century since we last had a deadly flu pandemic and I sincerely hope we are NOT headed to the next flu pandemic. There are several things that have changed since the Spanish Influenza pandemic (1918-19), and yet there a numerous similarities.
Similarities:
The Spanish Influenza was Influenza A subtype H1N1, Current Swine flu: Influenza A subtype H1N1. Now there are numerous types of flu viruses (Influena A and B but subtypes H1 though H16 (only H1, H2 and H3 are human influenza proteins) and N1 through N4 (all human influenza proteins) but H1N1 has been the a huge viral threat that most virologist and epidemiologists have been watching for.
Both have unfortunately caused fatalities in a short time-period, are airborne and highly pathogenic.
The Good Differences:
In 1918-19, there was no WHO or CDC that watched for possible epidemics or pandemics. The international communications were incredibly slow, so information about epidemics/pandemics traveled as fast as the actual virus itself. Additionally, health concerns were not generally headline news until they became costly in lives. Therefor being forewarned early may lead to the cessation of this virus to become a true pandemic.
We also know alot more about Influenza now then the public or even the medical and scientific communities knew. We know how it's transmitted, what causes the flu and how to prevent transmission. In 1918-19, the transmission was barely known but some precautions were taken later. We also have better treatments then just chicken soup, cough medicine and aspirin. There are some anti-virals and better methods of maintaining hydration in the ill.
Finally, during the 1918-19 influenza pandemic occurred during the final year of WWI. Because of WWI, there was lots of global movements with large groups of men who slept/lived in tight quarters where diseases (especially airborne) were easily transmitted. As this was also the end of the first world war, these same men were returning either sick or carrying the flu back to their homes world-wide.
The Bad Differences:
With the rapid global transportation we currently have, the spread of diseases has a greater potential to affect a larger population quicker. This makes getting ahead of the viruses difficult, especially with people travelling while ill or worse, during the highly infectious incubation period when the infected individuals are asymptomatic or barely symptomatic. The good news is that news about this illness has gotten out quickly and health officials are attempting to prevent the spread quickly though mass media broadcasts of preventive measures to inclusion of technology to screen passengers of mass transportation for potentially ill individuals for quarantine.
All in all, the CDC, HHS and DHS's responses in the US should hopefully limit the viruses progression through the US. Additionally the WHO's and various countries health organizations are doing their part in other foreign countries (especially Mexico) to cease the progression of this illness. Hopefully in the next few weeks, we'll see this thing slow down to a halt with a low mortality rate. My prayers are with those who are ill and those combating this illness.
Similarities:
The Spanish Influenza was Influenza A subtype H1N1, Current Swine flu: Influenza A subtype H1N1. Now there are numerous types of flu viruses (Influena A and B but subtypes H1 though H16 (only H1, H2 and H3 are human influenza proteins) and N1 through N4 (all human influenza proteins) but H1N1 has been the a huge viral threat that most virologist and epidemiologists have been watching for.
Both have unfortunately caused fatalities in a short time-period, are airborne and highly pathogenic.
The Good Differences:
In 1918-19, there was no WHO or CDC that watched for possible epidemics or pandemics. The international communications were incredibly slow, so information about epidemics/pandemics traveled as fast as the actual virus itself. Additionally, health concerns were not generally headline news until they became costly in lives. Therefor being forewarned early may lead to the cessation of this virus to become a true pandemic.
We also know alot more about Influenza now then the public or even the medical and scientific communities knew. We know how it's transmitted, what causes the flu and how to prevent transmission. In 1918-19, the transmission was barely known but some precautions were taken later. We also have better treatments then just chicken soup, cough medicine and aspirin. There are some anti-virals and better methods of maintaining hydration in the ill.
Finally, during the 1918-19 influenza pandemic occurred during the final year of WWI. Because of WWI, there was lots of global movements with large groups of men who slept/lived in tight quarters where diseases (especially airborne) were easily transmitted. As this was also the end of the first world war, these same men were returning either sick or carrying the flu back to their homes world-wide.
The Bad Differences:
With the rapid global transportation we currently have, the spread of diseases has a greater potential to affect a larger population quicker. This makes getting ahead of the viruses difficult, especially with people travelling while ill or worse, during the highly infectious incubation period when the infected individuals are asymptomatic or barely symptomatic. The good news is that news about this illness has gotten out quickly and health officials are attempting to prevent the spread quickly though mass media broadcasts of preventive measures to inclusion of technology to screen passengers of mass transportation for potentially ill individuals for quarantine.
All in all, the CDC, HHS and DHS's responses in the US should hopefully limit the viruses progression through the US. Additionally the WHO's and various countries health organizations are doing their part in other foreign countries (especially Mexico) to cease the progression of this illness. Hopefully in the next few weeks, we'll see this thing slow down to a halt with a low mortality rate. My prayers are with those who are ill and those combating this illness.