Changes

===Swine Flu===

===Swine Flu===

Swine flu is a respiratory illness in pigs caused by a virus. The swine flu virus routinely causes outbreaks in pigs but doesn't usually kill many of them. Swine flu viruses don't usually infect humans, but there have been occasional cases, usually among people who've had direct contact with infected pigs, such as farm workers. Currently medical workers are exploring the possibility of a mutation of known types of the virus, enabling it to pass among species more easily. There have been cases of the virus spreading from human to human, probably in the same way as seasonal flu, through coughing and sneezing by infected people. The virus is an influenza A virus, carrying the designation H1N1. <ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm Swine Influenza: General Information]</ref>

In 2009 the world confronted '''H1N1''', popularly known as '''Swine flu''',  a respiratory illness caused by an influenza A virus.  

In April, 2009, an outbreak of Swine Flu was reported, first in Mexico, and then immediately after other countries as well, giving every indication of a possible pandemic.  The [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] said the [[Mexico|Mexican]] virus samples match the [[U.S.]] virus. ''The virus is a mix of human virus, bird virus from [[North America]] and pig viruses from North America, [[Europe]] and [[Asia]].''  The CDC recommends the use of the flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, as there isn't a specific vaccine for the current mutated strain. <ref>[http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11226 CDC Podcast]</ref> It is genetically different from the fully human H1N1 seasonal influenza virus that has been circulating globally for the past few years. The new flu virus contains DNA typical to avian, swine and human viruses, including elements from European and Asian swine viruses. <ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ CDC: Swine Influenza]</ref> <ref>[http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html WHO bulletin: Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)]</ref>

In April, 2009, a worldwide outbreak of Swine Flu was reported, first in Mexico, and soon in many other countries as well, giving every indication of a possible pandemic.  The [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] said, ''The virus is a mix of human virus, bird virus from North America and pig viruses from North America, Europe and Asia.''  The CDC at first recommended the use of the flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, as there specific vaccine for H1N1 became available in late summer 2009. It is genetically different from the fully human H1N1 seasonal influenza virus that has been circulating globally for the past few years. The new flu virus contains DNA typical to avian, swine and human viruses, including elements from European and Asian swine viruses. <ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ CDC: Swine Influenza]</ref> <ref>[http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html WHO bulletin: Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)]</ref>

 

Different varieties of swine flu have been known for many years. The virus routinely causes outbreaks in pigsbut seldom infect humans.  Currently medical workers are exploring the possibility of a mutation of known types of the virus, enabling it to pass among species more easily. There have been cases of the virus spreading from human to human, probably in the same way as seasonal flu, through coughing and sneezing by infected people. The virus is an influenza A virus, carrying the designation H1N1. <ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm Swine Influenza: General Information]</ref>

===Spanish Flu Pandemic: 1918-1919===

===Spanish Flu Pandemic: 1918-1919===