Message From Ambassador Taylor Regarding H1N1 Human Swine Flu Outbreak
We are all concerned about the recent worldwide outbreak of H1N1 swine flu. As of today, April 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed ninety-one U.S. cases of H1N1 swine flu in ten states. To date, one fatality has been confirmed.
The outbreak of disease in people caused by this new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. According to the CDC, the more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. The CDC also notes that most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.
The CDC is working with Mexican officials to confirm the extent of the outbreak there; estimates range from 855 - 1,400 cases, with 55 - 71 deaths. The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, but these age groups have not been heavily affected in Mexico. Travelers should check the CDC website prior to travel for travel notices and updated information about the current situation in the United States.
The symptoms of human swine flu are like any other cases of influenza, and include fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, and body aches, and may include vomiting and diarrhea. So far laboratory testing has found the swine flu (H1N1) virus to be susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). There is no evidence of swine influenza being transmitted by meat. The CDC states "Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products."
The United States Government is committed to working closely with Ukraine to combat specific threats to public health, such as swine flu. We have several initiatives in place to assist Ukraine in dealing with public health concerns. Between 2005 and 2006, the United States Government provided rapid assistance (including specialized equipment and laboratory supplies) to Ukraine to combat Avian Influenza. The United States Government is similarly poised to assist Ukraine at this time.
One such initiative is the Biological Threat Reduction Program which works with the Ministry of Health, the State Committee for Veterinary Medicine, and the Academy of Agrarian Sciences to help combat specific threats to public health such as swine flu. Since 2005, staffs have been trained on diagnostics, biosafety, and packaging and shipping of pathogens and similar necessary activities to support sharing of information and securing international assistance. These assets will be used to the fullest extent possible.
Through the Bio Threat Reduction Program, the United States Government is now working directly with Ukrainian epidemiologists to ensure that Ukraine's Central Sanitary Epidemiological Station (CSES) has adequate laboratory supplies and serums to conduct sample diagnostics in order isolate specific cases of swine flu should they arise. Material support will be purchased locally and provided immediately.
While Ukraine maintains a good diagnostic capability, the USG also recommends that our Ukrainian partners collect, safely package and air ship samples as they become available to World Health Organization international reference laboratories.
We also encourage key Ukrainian ministry and laboratory directors to routinely visit the Center for Disease Control website for updates and information which can be used to inform the Ukrainian public, assist the ministries in response and facilitate information sharing internationally to better contain the spread of the influenza.