JOURNAL WRITING T3W3:EFFECTIVE OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES ON PUPILS

The 2009 flu pandemic is an A(H1N1) pandemic and a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, identified in April 2009, commonly referred to as "swine flu", which is transmitted between humans. As Robert Belshe, M.D., stated in the June 18th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine the current H1N1 “is a recent reassortant of the triple-reassortant swine influenza A (H1) viruses and a Eurasian swine influenza virus, resulting in the swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV), currently being transmitted among humans.”Virtually all transmission is from human to human; cooked pork products are safe for humans and the virus cannot be transmitted from foods.
The outbreak began in Mexico, and there is evidence that Mexico was already in the midst of an epidemic for months before the outbreak was recognized. Soon after, their government closed down most of Mexico City's public and private offices and facilities to help contain the spread. In early June, as the virus spread globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak to be a pandemic, while also noting that the virus has so far been of "moderate severity." WHO anticipates a bleaker picture, however, as the virus spreads to less developed countries with poorer health care systems. As of July, the virus was continuing to spread worldwide, especially in Southern Hemisphere countries, where the winter flu season has started.
The virus typically spreads from coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth. Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu, and may include fever, sneezes, sore throat, coughs, headache, and muscle or joint pains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that most hospitalizations have been of people that also had underlying conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or a weakened immune system. In an attempt to slow the spread of the illness, a number of countries, especially in Asia, have enforced strict quarantines on travelers showing any symptoms, along with travelers seated nearby any infected persons. Some have even requested pre-screening passengers before they travel.
WHO does not expect to have a full vaccine before the end of 2009, and if any is available before that time the supply will be limited. The CDC states that two or three vaccine injections will be required for maximum immunity from both the swine flu and seasonal flu. There is also concern that the virus could mutate later in the year and become more virulent and less susceptible to any new vaccine. This concern is partly due to the memory of the 1918 flu pandemic, which is thought to have killed between 40 million and 100 million people, and was preceded by a wave of milder cases in the spring.