Swine flu is caused by a new influenza virus. This virus strain is named as H1N1 flu virus. This influenza virus can spread directly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by infected person. The symptoms of swine flu are sore throat, cough, high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea and muscle pain.
On June 11, 2009 World Health Organization officially declared the out break of swine flu to be a pandemic. The World Health Organization has now raised its alert against swine flu to the highest-level phase-6. About 76 countries have been reported more than 35000 cases including 163 deaths. This epidemic may however, last a few hours, few weeks or many years. But this pandemic appears to have moderate severity in comparatively developed countries and is more problematic to under developed and third world poor countries.
From a mere 38 cases from USA and Mexico, the virus got spread to 74 countries, in India some cases of swine flu was also reported, but most of them contracted the infection while traveling abroad. The swine genetic studies carried out confirmed that, the HI N1 strain resulted from the mixing of genetic of a strain of human influenza virus, a strain of avian influenza virus and two strains of swine influenza virus.
In order to prevent this, one should follow the standard recommendations for control of influenza virus such as frequent washing of hands with soap and water,4 use of napkin or handkerchief for covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing and avoid touching of eyes, nose, mouth. Those who are infected should stay at home in order to avoid furthers spreading of the virus to other persons.