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Q&A on Swine Flu
Q. Can Swine flu come to Sri Lanka?
A. Yes, it can. A lot of people travel these days but Mexico City is not a destination Sri Lankans usually travel to. However, Swine flu is present in many countries and it is possible, but not probable, that it will reach Sri Lanka
Q. What is Swine flu due to?
A. It is due to a new virus called H1N1which has been formed by an unusual and hitherto unknown combination of genes from humans, birds and pigs. It is very easily transmitted from human to humans. As it is a new virus, immunity is likely to be very low or absent. Therefore, transmission from one person to another is likely and is a serious threat to our collective health.
Q. Is it a very strong virus?
A. Yes, it is. This is shown by how fast it has spread and many deaths have occurred, especially in Mexico where it started. In mitigation, it must be said that some cases have been mild and the patients have recovered fast.
Q. What message should the Ministry of Health put out?
A. "Keep calm and box on!" would be my answer, but you need to ask your popular Minister of Health!
Q. What is a Phase 5 WHO warning?
A. Phase 5 alert is a "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short."
Q. What is a pandemic?
A. It is a very serious epidemic which has spread all over the world or has the potential to.
Q. Does Sri Lanka have a pandemic action plan which most other countries have?
A. Most likely, but enquire from the Minister of Health or the director of Health Services.
Q. Are there anti-viral drugs to combat Swine flu?
A. Yes, there are two anti-viral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, which have been stockpiled in most countries and the manufacturers are producing more .Britain had enough stocks for one third of its population but is now trying to collect enough stocks to treat two thirds of the population.
Q. Are these drugs effective as I believe that viruses change very quickly?
A. Yes, viruses mutate very quickly. However, these drugs act on an enzyme which stops the virus passing from cell to cell.
Q. Are both Tamiflu and Relenza the same drug under different names by different companies?
A. No. they are different.Tamiflu is taken as a pill and Relenza is inhaled directly into the lungs.
Q. Is it possible to produce a vaccine?
A. yes, but it takes time to do the research and produce the vaccine .The viruses mutate fast and it takes about six months to produce the vaccine.
Q. Those of the Islamic faith may take exception to the name "Swine Flu" Is an alternate name available or possible?
A. Yes, It can be and Swine flu is sometimes called "Mexican Flu" as it originated in Mexico City.
