Swine Flu and Heart Disease Update – May 5th 2009
We’re monitoring the state of the latest influenza pandemic alert – swine flu, as it has special implications for our readers, and anyone else who suffers from a compromised immune system due to high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes.
It’s only just over a week since news about an imminent deadly influenza pandemic due to the swine flu influenza virus that originated in Mexico, hit the news headlines around the world.
Relatively few deaths worldwide to date from influenza pandemic
However, if we study the global influenza map, it is now apparent that there have been relatively few deaths around the world due to this new strain of influenza bacteria, and there have been no deaths yet in the the UK, possibly due to the very strict isolation of all suspected cases, and the use of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.
To date there have been 30 deaths and almost 1500 cases worldwide, and in the UK there are now 28 confirmed cases with a further 330 potential cases under investigation.
However, the UK government Chief Medical Officer – Sir Liam Donaldson has warned the public not to become complacent about swine flu, and has stated that it is too early to confirm that the virus is just a mild version compared to previous influenza viruses. As we predicted on April 30th the UK government has now begun distributing leaflets about swine flu to every UK household, giving advice and information on influenza, and influenza prevention – how to prevent infection from the virus.
Are we over-reacting to swine flu or are we complacent about the threat ?
Well, the UK has adopted a dual strategy to combat the replication of the influenza virus from person to person by implementing a physical and a pharmaceutical barrier, through isolation of suspected cases, and use of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu, which is one of very few influenza vaccines available.
The main concern is that if this influenza virus were to mutate, or combine in a new way with existing human influenza or avian flu strains, then it may return later in 2009 with a far more virulent and deadly strain that could become resistant to all existing anti-viral drugs.
In the meantime, medical authorities in several different countries are racing against the clock to find out more about this new strain of the influenza virus in the hope of developing a vaccine before a potential explosion of cases during the next flu season in the winter of 2009.
