Daily Times

Diseases that are transmitted from human to animals and animal to humans are called “Zoonotic Diseases” and this phenomenon is called “Zoonosis”. Whereas, the diseases that are transmitted from humans to animals are sometimes called “Reverse Zoonosis or Anthroponosis.

Different animals possess different  potential to carry these diseases to humans. The diseases which are transmitted from animals to humans, they pose a serious threat to the communities of human populations particularly in unhygeinic and those areas where sanitation services are poor. The mode of transmission of these diseases is through several ways including meat, milk, infected blood, direct contact and indirectly by infected environment of farm.

In 2005, it has estimated that there are 1407 infectious pathogens species in human and 58% of these species are common in animals and humans. These infectious species includes Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa and Fungi. Some of the most common zoonotic diseases are Toxoplasmosis, Haemohorragic fever, Malaria, Q-fever, Cirmean-Congo etc. The latest outbreak spreading in Pakistan nowadays is also a zoonotic disease and life threatining i.e “Swine flu infection”.

An alarming situation for Pakistan

Swine flu is very common nowadays. It is also known as H1N1 virus. It is recognized as swine flu because it is originated in pigs, and is highly contagious. It was first discovered in humans in 2009 and became headline. It was spreading fast around the world, so the WHO & UN CDC catagorised it as Pandemic. Pandemics- are infectious diseases affecting people all over the world. It raised its pandemic alert level to “Phase-5” out of 6 maximum.

The most effected areas of Pakistan nowadays are Punjab and few areas of Sindh. Around 55 cases has been reported in Punjab so far and 15 deaths. Five deaths have been reported in Rawalpindi, four in Multan and one each in Lahore, Chakwal, Gujranwala and Sahiwal since 1st January 2016 and doctors claimed that the infection and death may increase.

According to the census of past few years the infection and death rates due to the deadly swine flu are:
In June, 2009 the health ministry confirmed the country’s first swine flu case in a young boy of 14 years old (Dawn News). In Sindh, 52 cases positive for swine flu were reported on Dec 24, 2009.

In April, 2010 the ministry data showed 76 patients positive for this virus while nine deaths occurred. In 2011, 108 positive cases for swine flu were reported in Swabi and Karachi (Dr. Rashid Juma Said in Central Asia Online). In 2014, swine flu outbreak is again seen in Multan, Khanewal, Taunsa and DG Khan districts of Southern Punjab.More than 10 cases of swine flu have been seen in these districts resulting in 5 mortalities (Dawn News: March 10, 2014). Swine Flu has been declared as pandemic by WHO and US CDC.

In a Muslim country like Pakistan where there is no as such source of transmission of this virus, but the only source is, the migrant people from abroad. So where we are lacking of medical, technical and diagnostic facilities in developing country like Pakistan, to report such cases are really alarming situation and needs urgent action.

Transmission of Swine Flu

The transmission of this virus from pigs to human is almost uncommon. It is believed that swine have receptors for attachment of both avian and mammalian influenza viruses, which increase the potential in viruses to exchange their genetic material and produce new re-assorted sequences of viral genomes which results in formation of a new virus strain i.e Swine Influenza Virus. In 1974, the zoonotic nature of this virus was confirmed when “classical swine influenza virus infections” were documented in U.S with fatal consequences.

Swine flu is basically an RNA ( Ribo Nucleic Acid) based viral respiratory infection of pigs. It is caused by different strains of Swine Influenza Virus (SIV). This virus belongs to Influenza-A viruses from Orthomyxoviridae family. The most common subtypes of this virus are H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, which are present in swine. Among these H1N1 is relatively stable subtype, mostly causing swine influenza.

The Influenza virus is able to infect Human, Swine and Avian (Birds) species. Virus comes from the infected pig/hog handlers into the environment and then it attaches to the surface of nose, throat, and lungs through aerosol/cough and can infect other humans through aerosol.

Mechanism of infection in human cell

1 – After attachment, these viral particles are engulfed by the host cell.

2 -Inside the cell they overtake the function of cell and release their own genome for replication.

3 – They make their own viral proteins with the help of viral mRNA.

4 – These proteins and RNA then migrate to the cell surface, assemble into new virus particle.

5 – The new virus then comes out from the cell surface and released in the body causing infection.

6 – This viral infection is then again transmitted through cough and sneezing to other surrounding people. It is one of the highly contagious disease in human.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of swine flu is same as common Influenza includes, headache, fever, chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion, In 25% diahorrea and vomiting also been reported. An infected person can be contagious till 10 days of infection. Adults above 65 and children under 6 years are at high risk, pregnant women, immunosuppressed patients, smokers and heart patients are also at risk.

Treatment

Antibiotics can cure swine flu. Tami flu- an anti viral drug is also available in Pakistan for swine flu.

Prevention

1 – Ensure washing hands frequently.

2 – Avoid large gatherings especially children and adults above 65.

3 – Carry a tissue pack to use it on sneezing and coughing.

4 – Clean all the surfaces with antiseptic liquids.

5 – If someone is infected with flu, he/she stay at home and limit the interaction with other household things and family members and immediately cosult a doctor.

Suggestions

1 – Government should conduct workshops for the awareness of doctors and people.

2 – Media should play a vital role in mushrooming the awareness about the swine flu.

3 – International Airports must adopt  preventive measures for the pessengers coming from abroad.

4 – Government should facilitate and train doctors.