Emerging Infectious Disease: Epidemiology and Evolution of Influenza Viruses Essay

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Influenza has occurred in different subtypes since 1918 in Swine. Human influenza viruses exist in several types with continuous and fast evolutionary changes, the capability of widespread, and short incubation periods (Brown, 2000).

The chain of infection of H1N1 influenza is hard to break because it is transmitted through the respiratory system and contact. When an individual is infected, he coughs and sneezes. As a result, anybody within one meter from the infected person is likely to be infected. Furthermore, if an inspected person touches his mouth or nostril while blowing his nose, the virus collected by the hand can find its way to another person after shaking of hand (Luckhaupt et al. 2012). Anybody who shakes hands with an infected person and does not wash his hands thoroughly is at risk of infection. The infection chain can continue until serious interventions are put in place.

Influenza has several pathogens seen when one is infected. The type depends on the host species. When a human being is infected with the H1N1 virus, is mainly due to the influenza ‘A’ virus. These pathogens adapt to the human environment. The antibodies in the human body cross-react with the H1N1 virus but do not protect.

Influenza infects a large variety of animal species. These animals include pigs, horses, birds, sea mammals, and several wild animals (Brown, 2000). It is also known that aquatic birds are the main source of these viruses for other species.

Influenza is transmitted between human beings mainly through respiration. However, human beings who come in contact with infected pigs are infected. Human beings are known to infect pigs with the influenza virus too. It is also possible for turkeys and ducks to transmit this virus to human beings (Brown, 2000).

Pigs have served the role of intermediate host for reassortment of influenza ‘A’ viruses of avian and human origin (Brown, 2000). This is because it is the only mammalian animal that is reared in large numbers and susceptible to the virus.

Various public health measures are used to mitigate the effects of influenza on human beings. Epidemiological surveillance has been used in three different systems. Clinical surveillance, virological surveillance, and serological surveillance are commonly carried out. The main role of epidemiological surveillance is to detect a virus early enough so that preventive and control measures are put in place.

Quarantine of infected persons is essential to avoid infecting uninfected ones. People being protected from infection through quarantines are family members, visitors, health care workers, and colleagues. If correctly implemented, quarantine can help to stop the spreading of influenza (Gostin, 2006).

The role of immunization in controlling the spread of influenza is to prevent uninfected people from infection even if they contact infected ones. Immunization plays an important role in protecting people who are not infected with the contagious influenza virus.

Prophylaxis plays an important role in preventing healthcare workers and healthcare providers who are attending to sick people from infection. When one suspects that he has been exposed to an infection, he can use Prophylaxis to minimize chances of infection (Gostin, 2006).

Public health regulations proposed to the public by health experts have a big role in controlling the spread of influenza. If a case of infection is reported in a village or town, regulations imposed on the area can prevent possible spread to other areas. Screening and mandatory medical examinations at airports prevent the spreading of influenza to other cities, states, and countries. International public health regulation helps to establish communication between countries about the epidemic (Katz, 2009).

Generally, several measures which are mentioned have key roles in mitigating the effects of H1N1 influenza both locally and internationally.

References

Brown, I.H. (2000). The epidemiology and evolution of influenza viruses in pigs, Veterinary Microbiology, 74. 29-46.

Gostin, L.O. (2006). Public Health Strategies for Pandemic Influenza: Ethics and the Law. Journal of the American Medical Association, 295(14), 1700–1704.

Katz, R. (2009). , 2009. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 15 (8). Web.

Luckhaupt, S.E., Sweeney, M.H., Funk, R., Calvert, G.M., Nowell, M., D’Mello, T., Reingold, A., Meek, J., Yousey-Hindes, K., Arnold, K.E., Ryan, P., Lynfi eld, R., Morin, C., Baumbach, J., Zansky, S. Bennett, N.M., Thomas, A., Schaffner, W., and Jones, J. (2012). Influenza-associated Hospitalizations by Industry, 2009–10 Influenza Season, United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 18(4). Web.

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