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The Human Swine Influenza virus is a new flu virus that is infecting people and spreading from person to person. Cases of Human Swine Influenza have been confirmed in countries throughout the world by the World Health Organization and there have now been confirmed cases of Human Swine Influenza in Australia.
Human Swine Influenza is spread from person to person in the same way seasonal influenza and other common respiratory infections spread. Human Swine Influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get Human Swine Influenza from eating properly handled and prepared pork or pork products (CDC and WHO fact sheets).
Australia, including Queensland, is currently in the PROTECT phase.
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The symptoms of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Human Swine Influenza) are similar to those of seasonal influenza, including: fever and any one of the following:
Some people have also reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with Human Swine Influenza. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people.
Like seasonal flu, Human Swine Influenza may cause worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Human Swine Influenza is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
This flu is thought to be spread from person to person in the same way seasonal influenza and other common respiratory infections spread.
Being in close contact (e.g. within a metre) with an infected person while they are talking, coughing or sneezing puts you at risk of becoming infected. Virus-containing droplets can land on the surfaces of the mouth, nose and throat of people close by. The virus may also be spread through contact with infectious respiratory secretions on the hands of an infected person or other objects and surfaces.
People with Human Swine Influenza should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to seven (7) days following the onset of illness. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
Antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) can be used in the treatment of Human Swine Influenza. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines which fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after becoming sick (within 2 days of symptoms developing).
The change to the PROTECT phase signals a move to identifying those people in whom disease may be severe and providing medical care and interventions to reduce likely suffering. People who will be given antiviral therapy in the PROTECT phase are:
Antibiotics may be required for secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia.
Like seasonal flu, Human Swine Influenza in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.
Those most at risk of serious illness include pregnant women, Indigenous Australians, and people with respiratory disease (asthma, COPD), heart disease, diabetes, renal disease, morbid obesity and immunosuppression.
We encourage you to talk with health practitioners if you have any questions or concerns.
Please also take advantage of the prevention tips available on this website.
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Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Human Swine Influenza) is spread from person to person in the same way seasonal influenza and other common respiratory infections spread. The best way to protect you and your family from this flu is to take the following proactive seasonal flu measures:
For more detailed information about seasonal influenza please visit the Flu Prevention website.
The human influenza disease of concern around the world at the moment called Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Human Swine Influenza) originated in Mexico and is a human health issue. It is not currently an animal health or food safety issue in Australia and pigs in Australia are not under threat.
For more information related to animal health visit Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (link updated 4 August 2009).
We encourage you to talk to your General Practitioner or call
if you have any concerns.
The Department of Health and Ageing has set up a
