US Administration officials did say they expect many more cases of the flu to be discovered in the coming days, which ensures that the focus on this crisis will only grow as the week progresses.

U.S. stocks fell on Monday as traders worried that the outbreak of swine flu could worsen the global economic outlook... Even crude-oil futures fell by nearly $3 to slide under $49 a barrel on Monday

Swine flu has killed more than 100 people in Mexico and officials worldwide are taking measures to counteract the spread of the strain. Travel stocks, including airline and cruise-ship operators, declined, and shares of drug makers climbed.

In Lebanon the Ministry of Health declared Lebanon free of Swine flu, but officials are not taking any chances , specially since the summer tourism season is around the corner and some of the tourists could bring this flu with them

This article is to educate our readers about this deadly virus

TQ: What is swine flu?

A: It is an influenza virus, like the strains that cause such misery to people during the winter months. Flu viruses also infect many other species of mammals, as well as birds, and this strain causes a respiratory disease in pigs. It is related to human viruses, but influenza tends to stay in its own "host" species.

How does it pass from pigs to people?

The most common method is through farming, with humans handling infected pigs. The flu can then move on to other people through coughing, sneezing, or touching infected people or surfaces and then touching your mouth or nose.

Such infections are rare because swine flu viruses do not easily attach to human cells of the throat and lungs. However, recent studies have shown human infections may be more common than once believed.

Can you catch swine flu by eating pork from an infected animal?

The Mexican government and the World Health Organization have ruled out any risk of infection from eating pork.

What are the symptoms?

The Mexican government reports seeing these symptoms:

* General fatigue.

Those sound like seasonal flu symptoms. How is this flu different?

Swine flu may cause more severe vomiting and diarrhea. In rare cases, flu virus attacks the lungs, a complication that can be fatal. This strain also differs because it is so new. As a result, no one has natural immunity to it, unlike with seasonal flu.

The numbers of infected people are rising quickly. Is this a very infectious disease?

The CDC says it does not yet know. Occasionally a swine flu virus in a person mutates in a way that makes it more easily transmitted from person to person.

People are usually contagious for as long as they are symptomatic -- typically four to five days for adults and longer for children.

I got a flu shot last fall. Will that protect me?

CDC officials say they are "very pessimistic." Tests of last fall's seasonal vaccine and the new virus show no cross-reaction, suggesting that people who got the shot have no added protection against this flu strain.

How should I protect myself and my family?

If you have no symptoms, be preventive: Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, and discard used tissues immediately. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you feel sick, stay home from work and school. Go to the hospital if you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.

If you know you have been exposed to swine flu, get lots of rest, and talk to your doctor about the antiviral drugs oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). These drugs may make the illness milder and work best if started within two days of getting sick.

I see people in Mexico wearing masks. Should I get one?

Mexico's government is recommending surgical masks for its citizens, but the CDC says the general U.S. public does not need them.

Update for Lebanon: Ban on Pork imports

Lebanon imposed today a ban on pork imports and urged pig farmers across the country to be vigilant in light of an escalating swine flu crisis.

"The import of pigs or fresh pork products from any country is banned effective today," the agriculture ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said preventive measures in line with recommendations by the World Health Organization are also being implemented and farmers nationwide have been advised to report any incident of animals showing signs of the disease.

The number of swine Flu cases under observation in Mexico has reached 1,614, according to the minister. Other cases are being reported in US, canada, Europe, the Middle East and Far East

The Lebanese ban does not affect canned pork imports

Washington Post

Share this Article:           
Feedback? We want to hear your thoughts!