The world health organization (WHO) is currently at pandemic phase 3. Due to the avian flu epidemic we are at level 3. If we move to phase 4, WHO considers the infection entering the pandemic phase with the virus now passing easily from human to human. We should worry.

Over 20 million died from the Spanish flu pandemic. The virus is spreading rapidly in Mexico and US. In fact, we have declared a health emergency and started shipping anti-viral medicines to the various states to have on hand just in case. Money has been sent to Mexico to help. We don’t know how big this will get. The world may soon need to take serious action to restrain spread. Some governments like Hong Kong, some in the European Union, and Russia are restricting travel to Mexico and other countries like the US, Canada, France, New Zealand and Spain where viral infections have been reported. China stopped pork imports from US and elsewhere.

Many countries are spraying farms with disinfectants where pigs are grown. In airports of many countries, visitors may be quarantined (especially if they come from North America) if they have fever over 100.4 degrees f or flu like symptoms of infection. Travelers now fill out forms if they are coming from countries with the infection and are required to notify the government if they get cold like symptoms or fever. Many now travel or live wearing face masks and are urged to use simple precautions such as hand washing when travelling in the infected areas. The swine virus is known since 1976, is responsible for the death of at least 22 out of a suspected 103 people in Mexico and is identified as a-h1n1. Similar to the avian flu strain: a-h5n1.

Blood samples are being examined to determine if the virus is responsible for the other deaths. Tests take several days currently to determine if one has contracted the virus. New tests are being devised around the world to speed up identification. It is spread by inhaling infected particles from pigs and rarely from humans. But that could change. Viruses evolve and mutate constantly. This virus is distinctive. It has genes from human, avian and swine viruses. The avian flu virus of 2003 does not spread well from human to human. Thus, the outbreak has not resulted in a pandemic like the 1918 Spanish flu influenza did. But things could change for the swine flu. There are possible over 1600 cases related to the virus in Mexico now with a few to a handful now confirmed in the US, Canada, France, New Zealand and Spain.

How do we avoid infection?

Simple hygiene measures—wash hands. Wear masks. Don’t travel to infected sites. In fact, stay home and avoid social contact. But even that may not help if the virus gets virulent. Stay tuned.