Known as the influenza variant H1N1, the Swine Flu has made headlines all over the world as the new killer virus. As researchers continue to study the disease, they have found that the origin of the virus is much older than when it was discovered. Swine Flu is named for its origin of mutation where influenza combined with another virus and developed a variant strain that was transmitted to humans. The influenza variant is the new media frenzy since its spread has become a pandemic and caused deaths around the world.
The Swine Flu Developed Years Ago
Recent research by the Oxford University's Department of Zoology has been piecing together the location and point of mutation of the Swine Flu virus. Their studies have dated the virus several years prior to its discovery in humans. Oxford researchers believe the virus was transmitted between pigs on different continents over the years until it finally spread to farm workers. They also believe that the virus mutated several times between pigs before it finally formed an infectious form for humans, which was transmitted months before it became noticed.
What is Swine Flu?
Influenza is a virus that infects the respiratory tract of humans. It has three forms – influenza A, B, and C. Influenza A and B are the two forms that cause respiratory illness in humans. Influenza C does not normally cause illness and is completely asymptomatic. Vaccinations created for the virus every year cover variant mutations of influenza A and B that scientists predict to be a problem.
Because influenza is an RNA virus, it easily mutates to form different variants. Livestock animals such as pigs, birds, and cows are reservoirs for influenza. These animals can obtain different variants of the virus, allowing two separate forms to combine and cause a variant new strain. This is how H1N1 was formed. The people most highly at risk for transmission are farm workers. This is the mode of transmission to humans in cases of influenza like Swine Flu and Avian Flu.
Swine Flu Preventions
Influenza and its variants like the Swine Flu are transmitted by respiratory droplets when a patient sneezes, coughs, or laughs. Prevention involves sanitary measures like washing hands and keeping surfaces clean. Cleaners such as bleach kill influenza virus. The disease is mostly spread during the winter since people are more likely to stay in close proximity with others inside. These conditions allow influenza to spread more easily.
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