Latest update January 13th, 2025 3:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Swine Flu outbreak

Apr 28, 2009 Editorial

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the outbreak of swine flu, which originated in Mexico, is serious enough to be considered a “public health emergency of international concern.” As such the authorities in Guyana should initiate steps necessary to deal with the possibility that the deadly virus may reach our shores.
In Mexico, the number of suspected cases has climbed over 1,600 and the death toll has gone well past one hundred. From there, forty cases have been confirmed thus far in the United States with at least eight in New York City. Canada has reported six cases, Scotland two and Spain one. Guyanese reside in all parts of the US, Canada and Europe and they visit their native land in a continuous stream. We have to be prepared.
As most might be aware, the flu (or influenza) is caused by a germ called a “virus” of a particular type which infects the body of humans and several species of animals including pigs and causes the well-known symptoms of fever, aching bodies and runny noses.  The body develops immunity to the virus after the infection so that the same virus cannot harm us again. The problem is recurring because viruses can mutate or change very rapidly so that new strains confront us at least twice a year. While the flu is not normally regarded as a deadly infection, thousands of persons who have weakened immune systems do die from its effects annually. Every now and then, however, a variety comes along that has the potential to become a deadly pandemic.
The global flu outbreak of 1918 (the Spanish Flu) is regarded as the deadliest of the three pandemics of the 20th century and even today, the numbers boggle the mind. No matter how many times the numbers get trotted out, they seem beyond comprehension. The global death toll from the 1918 flu was long pegged at 20 million, but most experts now talk of 50 million, perhaps 100 million. Around eighteen thousand perished in Guyana.
Much about that pandemic remains unsettled, particularly the mystery surrounding the shape of the flu’s devastation. In a normal flu epidemic, a graph of fatalities looks like the letter U, with the twin peaks representing a heavy toll among young children and the frail elderly. That graph of the 1918 flu looks more like a misshapen W, with an astonishing middle peak reflecting that it was most fatal to perfectly healthy adults in their 20s and 30s. It was caused by an H1N1 flu virus.
Then there was the Asian flu of 1957-58, caused by an H2N2 virus, that killed an estimated one million to four million people worldwide. Finally the Hong Kong flu of 1968-69 took between one million to four million lives worldwide. This one was caused by an H3N2 virus.
A flu virus can reach pandemic status if three conditions are met, according to the World Health Organization. First, it must be an infection that has newly emerged. Secondly, it has to be able to cause serious illness in humans. And thirdly, it must be able to spread easily from person to person. Infections in this category can often spread beyond their continents of origin — and potentially around the world.
Right now, the Swine flu virus of which the most common version is H1N1, is said to have “pandemic potential” because it is a new virus that can spread from person-to-person. The H5N1 bird flu circulating in Asia is an example of a virus that has had pandemic potential for some time, but has not yet caused a pandemic. But countries have to always be vigilant for its spread.
Doctors recommend “self-quarantine” for those inflicted with the influenza, so that it does not spread to others. Do not go to the hospital but contact a doctor over the phone. Two prescription anti-viral drugs — Tamiflu and Relenza — have proved effective in combating the swine flu virus in victims in the United States. Do we have adequate supplies of these medications?

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Jan 13, 2025

Kaieteur Sports – The prestigious Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) situated at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne Berbice has released its racing dates for the year 2025. The club which is one of the...
Read More
Region Six Education Department Renews Golf Initiative with Guyana Golf Association

Region Six Education Department Renews Golf...

Jan 13, 2025

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional C/ships with fifties

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional...

Jan 12, 2025

Spectators experience and playing standards high on the agenda says Minister Ramson

Spectators experience and playing standards high...

Jan 12, 2025

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open Officially Declared Open

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open...

Jan 12, 2025

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge recovered

Body of Chinese national who fell from new...

Jan 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]