Swine flu is a contagious respiratory disease that normally only affects pigs. It is commonly caused by H1N1 strains of swine influenza A virus. However, other strains, such as H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2 also circulate in pigs. While it is not usual for people to get swine flu, human infections do occasionally happen, mainly after close contact with infected pigs.

During March/April 2009, a new strain of swine flu virus emerged in Mexico, and started to cause illness in humans. This new strain, called influenza A (H1N1), then began spreading rapidly from person to person. On 11 June 2009, the World Health Organisation announced the start of a swine flu pandemic (a worldwide outbreak), meaning that the virus had started to spread to people all around the globe (see Pandemic flu FAQs). The World Health Organisation rates the severity of this pandemic (known as Pandemic (H1N1) 2009) as moderate because most people appear to recover from the illness without needing hospitalisation. However, this could change.

Click here for the latest situation update from the World Health Organisation.

How does swine flu spread amongst pigs?

Pigs can get swine flu if they inhale respiratory droplets expelled by an infected pig. They can also get infected through direct or indirect contact with an infected pig.

What symptoms do infected pigs show?

Signs of swine flu in pigs can include dullness, fever, coughing and breathlessness. Some infected pigs (about 1 to 4 %) may die, but most pigs recover rapidly.

Which countries have infected pigs?

Swine flu is present in all pig-producing countries around the world, including the UK. Outbreaks in pigs occur throughout the year. However, many countries routinely vaccinate pigs against swine flu.

Should I take any special precautions when handling pigs?

Although there is no indication that the current human infections are linked to cases of swine flu in pigs in the UK, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) advises pig keepers to maintain high levels of hygiene. Pig keepers should look out for unusual signs of respiratory disease in their pigs and contact their veterinary surgeon if they are concerned or require any advice on protecting their pigs from swine flu.

Click here for the latest advice from DEFRA about swine flu in pigs.

Which countries have human cases of swine flu?

During March/April 2009, Mexico reported an increase in the number of people with severe respiratory infections. Human infections with influenza A (H1N1) were then confirmed in Southern California and Texas. By 11 June 2009, the World Health Organisation had confirmed human cases of swine flu in many countries around the world, including the UK and therefore declared a pandemic (worldwide outbreak).

Click here for the latest situation update from the World Health Organisation.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

When people are infected with swine flu viruses, their symptoms are usually similar to those of seasonal influenza. These may include fever (a temperature of 38°C/100.4 °F or over), fatigue (tiredness), lack of appetite and a dry cough. Some people may also have a sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. People of every age are at risk of catching pandemic swine flu. However, some people may catch the virus but not develop any symptoms. Others may develop complications like pneumonia and bronchitis, causing difficulty breathing and possibly death. However, the vast majority of cases reported so far in the UK have been mild, and most people have made a full recovery. Only a small number of people in the UK have developed serious illness and these people generally had underlying health problems, such as cancer, that had already weakened their immune systems.

You can obtain more information about swine flu symptoms from www.nhs.uk or by telephoning the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.

How does swine flu spread between people?

Swine flu is thought to spread in the same way as seasonal flu; in tiny droplets, expelled from the mouth and nose of an infected person when they talk, cough or sneeze. People may get infected if they breathe in these droplets or if they touch someone or something that is contaminated with the virus (e.g. a used tissue or door handle), and then touch their nose or eyes.

Is there a vaccine to protect people from swine flu?

Scientists have been working as quickly as possible to develop a safe and effective vaccine. The first doses should be available in the UK in October 2009 and will be given to those at greatest risk first.

Click here for further information about the swine flu vaccination from the NHS.

Is treatment available?

Antiviral medicines, such as oselatmivir or zanamivir, are available via the National Pandemic Flu Service. These drugs may shorten the illness and reduce the risk of complications, but they must be taken near the start of the illness to be effective. If you have flu-like symptoms, the National Pandemic Flu Service can assess you, and if necessary give you an authorisation number that you can use to obtain antivirals from a local collection point. When you are given an authorisation number, you will be told where the nearest antiviral collection point is. You will need to ask a flu friend (a healthy friend or relative) to go and pick up the antiviral medication for you.

Click here for further information about antivirals.

What precautions can I take to help protect myself and my family?

Good hygiene can help to reduce the spread of a wide range of viruses, including the swine flu virus. The Health Protection Agency advises everyone to follow these precautions at all times:

• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if possible.
• Dispose of used tissues promptly and carefully. Put them in a bag and then bin them.
• Clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently.
• Ensure children follow this advice.

If you intend to travel abroad during the swine flu pandemic, check the advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Health Protection Agency website also provides advice for people travelling to the UK.

As the pandemic develops, government advice may change so make sure you look out for the latest information, available through leaflets, websites and the media.

Click here for the latest advice from the Health Protection Agency.

How can washing my hands help to protect me?

Washing your hands frequently is the best way to protect yourself from a wide range of illnesses, including influenza. Everytime you touch something, germs can transfer to your hands. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands could transfer the germs from your hands into your body. Washing your hands frequently, helps to remove the germs and stop them spreading to you and other people.

Click here for more information about how and when you should wash your hands.

How can I remove flu viruses from surfaces?

An infected person could spread germs to surfaces around them when they cough or sneeze, or touch them with unwashed hands or used tissues. Cleaning surfaces regularly can help to stop influenza viruses and other germs spreading around your home, to you and other people.

Cleaning surfaces with detergent and water can remove germs from an item provided you scrub all the surfaces and rinse them thoroughly with clean water. However, where proper rinsing is not possible (e.g. large or fixed surfaces such as kitchen worktops, toilet flushes and door handles) it is important to use a disinfectant to help kill the germs. It is particularly important to clean and disinfect surfaces that people often touch with their hands, such as;

• handles and switches
• taps and toilet flush handles
• kitchen worktops
• telephone receivers
• computer keyboards.

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces using products that destroy influenza viruses will give extra reassurance.

Click here to find suitable disinfectants.

Click here if you have any questions about using Dettol products.

Is it safe to eat pork and other foods derived from pigs?

You cannot get influenza by eating properly handled and prepared pork or other foods derived from pigs (e.g. bacon, sausages). However, good food hygiene helps to prevent a wide range of infections, so it is important that all food is always prepared hygienically.

• Never eat raw or poorly cooked meat.
• Keep raw meat away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.
• Use a separate chopping board and knife to prepare raw meat.
• Wash your hands immediately after handling raw meat.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and utensils immediately after contact with raw meat.

If I develop flu symptoms, what should I do?

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu, stay at home and check your symptoms online using the National Pandemic Flu Service. Those who do not have online access can obtain the same service by;

• telephone: 0800 151 3 100
• minicom/textphone (for the deaf or hard of hearing): 0800 151 3 200.

You should telephone your GP directly if;

• you have a serious existing illness, such as cancer
• you are pregnant
• you have a sick child under one year old
• your condition suddenly gets much worse
• your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five days for a child).

You can obtain more information about swine flu symptoms from www.nhs.uk or by telephoning the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.

Is this swine flu pandemic serious?

Currently, the World Health Organisation considers this pandemic (Pandemic (H1N1) 2009) to be of moderate severity because most people recover from the illness without the need for hospitalisation. However, there is a risk that the virus will mutate into a more dangerous form, making the pandemic much more severe. The World Health Organisation is closely monitoring the situation.

Click here for the latest update from the World Health Organisation.