COMMON SWINE FLU (H1N1) QUESTIONS

1. What is swine influenza?

Human swine influenza (sometimes called swine flu) is a new strain of the influenza virus which can be transmitted from person to person. Human swine influenza is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms that are similar to regular human seasonal influenza. One difference is some people with human swine influenza have reported vomiting and diarrhea.

2. How is human swine influenza different from the usual seasonal influenza?

Human swine influenza is a new strain of the influenza virus. Individuals are unlikely to have any natural protection against the virus.

3. What can Albertans do to protect themselves from human swine influenza?

Albertans can take simple measures to minimize the risk of being infected – Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infection. Cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve. If you use a tissue, dispose of it immediately and wash your hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are experiencing influenza-like symptoms. If you do become sick, stay at home.

4. What are the symptoms of human swine influenza?

The symptoms of human swine influenza in Canada have been generally mild and are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza. Symptoms may include:
Sudden onset of fever and cough;
Fatigue;
Sore throat;
Body aches;
Headache;
Lack of appetite;
Some people have experienced vomiting and diarrhea.

5. What should you do if you are concerned that you have symptoms of human swine influenza?

Anyone with a fever or cough associated with recent travel to Mexico or other affected areas is being encouraged to first check the Alberta Health Services website for further information or call Health Link Alberta before going to a health care provider’s office or health care facility.
Call Health Link:
Toll-free 1-866-408-LINK (5465)
In Edmonton, call 780-408-LINK (5465)
In Calgary, call 403-943-LINK (5465)
6. How is human swine influenza spread?
Human swine influenza is spread the same way as seasonal influenza – Person-to-person through coughing and sneezing. Droplets containing the virus are released through the air.
Contact with the virus through shaking hands or touching a hard surface, such as a counter or doorknob that has been contaminated with the virus. A person becomes infected by then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

7. Should Albertans wear masks or take antiviral medications to prevent catching human swine influenza?

No. Evidence shows that wearing masks is not effective in preventing the spread of influenza in the general public. Antivirals are not recommended for the prevention of human swine influenza and are only recommended for treatment purposes.

8. Is there a vaccine for human swine influenza?

No, at this time there is no vaccine available for this type of influenza. The seasonal influenza vaccine being used in Canada this year is not effective against this particular strain of influenza.
Efforts are underway to develop a human swine influenza vaccine. However, it can take up to six months after the strain is identified for a vaccine to be developed, tested and produced.

9. What is being done to contain the spread of human swine influenza in Alberta?

Alberta physicians are on alert and are looking for cases of influenza-like illness associated with travel to places experiencing outbreaks of human swine influenza, and considerable lab testing is being done. Surveillance is being increased and frontline health care workers are actively looking for and reporting positive cases. Health care workers have been provided with detailed advice on how to manage suspect and/or confirmed cases. Communication to Albertans is being increased to ensure they are well-informed as how best protect to themselves and their families. Contacts of confirmed cases of human swine influenza are being followed-up by public health.

10. What is being done to control the spread of the virus to Canada?

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with international partners to learn more about how this particular swine influenza virus spreads so that we can best control and slow its spread.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a travel health warning advising Canadians to postpone elective or non-essential travel to Mexico until further notice. Federal quarantine officers are stationed in major international airports and ports, and at borders and will detain individuals with symptoms of illness when departing or arriving in Canada so that they can be assessed. However, people may not have symptoms until later. If this happens, they should contact their health care professional to discuss their symptoms and travel history.

11. How is Alberta increasing monitoring for this disease?

Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta’s Chief Medical of Health has asked all clinicians to increase their surveillance and collaborate with Medical Officers of Health to enhance monitoring of influenza-like illness. This includes actively looking for possible cases of influenza-like illness, particularly when there is a history of travel to Mexico or other affected areas, and to notify the Medical Officers of Health if cases are identified. Laboratory surveillance is also heightened.

12. Could this be the early stages of a pandemic?

We do not know whether this human swine influenza virus will lead to the next influenza pandemic. Scientists and public health agencies around the world are on high alert as a result of the human swine influenza outbreaks in various countries.

13. Is Alberta's pandemic plan in place?

Yes, Alberta has a pandemic influenza plan in place. Alberta’s Plan for Pandemic Influenza will direct activities of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services and other key groups in response to pandemic influenza, to provide a coordinated and phased-in response.

Read the Alberta Pandemic Plan

The plan consists of two components:
Alberta Pandemic Influenza Operations Plan which is the plan for the coordinated provincial response to pandemic influenza by the Government of Alberta, municipalities, industry and municipal essential service groups such as the police, fire and ambulances; and Alberta Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health System which is a plan for health-care professionals. It describes what the health system response will look like and defines roles and responsibilities. Key health interventions in the plan include antiviral medications, vaccine and infection prevention and control strategies, such as respiratory protection and etiquette, as well as hand-washing strategies. As part of the preparedness activities for a pandemic influenza, Alberta Health and Wellness provided funding to the former health regions to purchase supplies, such as masks and syringes, needed for medical treatment during a pandemic. As well, Alberta has secured a stockpile of antiviral medications to treat people who will become ill during a pandemic influenza (estimated to be 17.5 per cent of the population).

14. How is the World Health Organization responding to the human swine influenza outbreak?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern, under the International Health Regulations. This requires all member countries to intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.
Based on the WHO’s six phase pandemic alert system, the world is currently in Phase 5 of a pandemic alert. The WHO has not declared a pandemic.
Visit the WHO website for more information

15. How does the World Health Organization determine what level of alert is required?

A six-phased alert is used to determine the approach and response plan required.
For more information visit the WHO website.

16. How can an influenza virus spread from pigs to people?

Different strains of influenza regularly circulate in our environment, including strains that can cause illness in humans, birds and pigs. Sometimes, humans and animals can pass strains of influenza back and forth to one another through direct close contact, such as in pig production barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. For people in close contact with pigs, the recommendations to avoid infection are the same as for regular seasonal influenza – frequent hand washing, getting an annual flu shot, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. When a swine influenza virus does affect a human, there is also a risk that the animal influenza can mutate and then spread directly between humans.

17. Should people be avoiding exposure to pigs?

In this case, we know that this type of human swine influenza is spreading between humans – not directly from pigs to people. As a result, there is little increased risk to people from close contact with pigs. However, because humans can spread the disease to pigs, individuals with influenza symptoms should avoid close contact with pigs to reduce the possibility of transmitting the disease to pigs.

18. Can I catch swine influenza from eating pork?

No. Human swine influenza is not spread through eating pork or pork byproducts. It does not pose a food safety concern. When handling raw meat, always wash your hands and dishes with warm soap and water.