April 27, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and others have named it a public health emergency as more cases of swine flu are confirmed. Alabamians should rest easier knowing that a massive public health response is already under way, said John Gnann Jr., M.D., a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

"We are still too early into this outbreak for anyone to be feeling panic or fear," Gnann said. "Knowing there are few cases reported in the U.S. and that our government is acting responsibly and with timeliness" is another good sign, he said.

The outbreak of sickness caught the world's eye, and as of Monday more than 1,600 people in 17 states across Mexico were believed to have been sickened by the virus. In the United States, the CDC reported the number of confirmed cases had risen to 40. Gnann and other medical professionals urged people with possible symptoms - cough, sore throat, nausea, fever, dizziness - to stay home.

Other actions people should take to remain healthy include:

• Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue during a cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze, and use alcohol-based hand cleaners whenever possible.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth to thwart the spread of germs.

Doctors should consider treating any person with confirmed or suspected swine flu with an antiviral prescription of the drug Tamiflu® or Relenza®, Gnann said. Those medications are active against swine flu, particularly if started within two days of the start of symptoms. Infected people are said to be contagious from one day before to seven days after symptoms are felt.

Federal officials are recommending a deferral of all non-essential travel to Mexico in an effort to limit the virus. Beyond that, all those with airline reservations to other locations should stay flexible and keep monitoring the situation, said David Freedman, M.D., a UAB professor of medicine who directs the UAB Travelers' Health Clinic.

The H1N1 swine flu viruses are very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu, Freedman said. Daily outbreak and travel-awareness updates are being posted to the CDC travelers' health Web site.

About UAB

Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to infectious disease, clinic-based community care, public health outreach and innovation, UAB is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center. To learn more about UAB's response to the H1N1 swine flu, visit www.uab.edu/emergency and/or www.healthsafe.uab.edu.