Preparing for the Swine Flu
 To
help ensure the health and well-being of the
individuals we serve, the County Health Plan's
service provider, CIGNA, is implementing its
action plan to prepare for the consequences of a
swine flu pandemic.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory
disease of pigs caused by type A influenza
viruses. In the recent outbreak cases of human
infection with swine influenza A (H1N1), viruses
were first reported in Mexico. Ninety one (9!)
cases of swine flu infection have now been
reported in the United States and additional
cases have been reported internationally.
The CDC has determined that the swine
influenza virus is contagious and is spreading
from human to human. However, at this time, it
is not known how easily the virus spreads
between people. In addition, it is unclear why
the disease is mild in all locations except
Mexico. To date, there have been no fatalities
and few people requiring hospitalization outside
of Mexico. The one current fatality is a Mexican
citizen who was being treated in the U.S.
There is increasing concern that this virus
will become easily transmissible from person to
person, and that a pandemic will occur. The
severity of such a pandemic depends upon the
virulence of the virus, which is uncertain at
this time. A pandemic is a global disease
outbreak that affects an exceptionally high
proportion of the population. The H1N1 virus is
a likely candidate to cause the next pandemic,
although no one can predict with certainty that
a pandemic will occur.
Human vaccines for the virus that causes
swine flu have not been developed. There is no
evidence that the individuals who received the
seasonal flu vaccine have immunity to swine flu.
Two anti-viral medications, Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
and Relenza (zanamivir), have been shown to be
effective in treating swine flu.
Additional resources
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