Earth Watch Report - Biological Hazards
| Today | Biological Hazard | USA | State of Indiana, Hoosier |  |  |
Biological Hazard in USA on Friday, 28 June, 2013 at 03:06 (03:06 AM) UTC.
| Description | |
| State
health officials are encouraging Hoosiers [residents of the state of
Indiana] to take steps to protect themselves at county and 4H fairs
around the state this summer [2013] following detection of 4 cases of
variant influenza A(H3N2)v. All individuals visited the Grant County
Agricultural Fair, 16-22 Jun 2013, prior to illness, and at least 2 had
contact with swine. Variant influenza A(H3N2)v was identified in Indiana
last year, with a total of 138 cases in 2012. The Indiana State
Department of Health and the Grant County Health Department continue to
investigate these cases. Human infections with (H3N2)v are rare but have
most commonly occurred after close proximity to live infected pigs,
such as working with them in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs.
Influenza viruses are not transmitted by eating pork and pork products.
According to the State Board of Animal Health, 13 pigs at the fair
tested positive for H3N2. It is not uncommon for pigs to be infected
with swine influenza viruses but not show any signs of illness. If ill
with influenza they typically recover. "Fairs are a great way to get
outdoors, have some fun and learn about agriculture," said State Health
Commissioner William VanNess, MD "If you plan to attend a fair this
summer, just be sure to wash your hands frequently and avoid taking food
into areas where animals are kept." Symptoms of variant influenza A
include: fever, cough, sore throat, chills, headache and muscle aches.
Diarrhea and nausea may occur in children. Symptoms can begin
approximately one to four days after being exposed to the illness and
last from two to seven days. As several county fairs will open in the next few weeks, State health officials are increasing surveillance for influenza-like illness. "We are increasing our surveillance so we can learn more about this virus and because antiviral treatment is most effective if given within 48 hours," said Dr VanNess. "It's important to contact your health care provider if you begin experiencing flu-like symptoms." And if you have visited a fair or been around animals, let your health care provider know. Influenza antiviral drugs can treat infection with (H3N2)v and quick treatment is especially important for people who are at high risk of serious flu complications, including the very young, the elderly, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease and pregnant women. Visiting animal exhibits is fun and educational, and Hoosiers are reminded to follow some simple safety steps to prevent illness. Wash hands with soap and water before and after petting or touching any animal. Never eat, drink or put anything in your mouth when visiting animal areas, and avoid face-to-face contact with animals. People at high risk for flu complications should avoid close contact with swine in the fair setting particularly. While influenza is not an uncommon diagnosis in pigs, the State Board of Animal Health encourages swine owners to contact a veterinarian if their animals show signs consistent with flu, including coughing, respiratory illness, off-feed, and fever. Most county fairs have a private veterinary practitioner on call for on-site assistance. Since there is no vaccine available for people to protect against this (H3N2)v virus, the best way to prevent infection with variant influenza is to avoid sources of exposure to the virus. As always good hygiene and other everyday preventive actions are important to take as well. Wash your hands frequently. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Avoid contact with people or animals that are ill. Stay home if you develop influenza symptoms and contact your health care provider. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 309 infections with (H3N2)v in the United States. According to the CDC, most of these infections resulted in mild illness, though 16 people were hospitalized and one person died. Most of the people who were hospitalized and the person who died had one or more high risk conditions. | |
| Biohazard name: | A(H3N2)v (Fujian flu, human) |
| Biohazard level: | 3/4 Hight |
| Biohazard desc.: | Bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist, such as anthrax, West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, SARS virus, variola virus (smallpox), tuberculosis, typhus, Rift Valley fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria. Among parasites Plasmodium falciparum, which causes Malaria, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes trypanosomiasis, also come under this level. |
| Symptoms: | Symptoms of variant influenza A include: fever, cough, sore throat, chills, headache and muscle aches. Diarrhea and nausea may occur in children. Symptoms can begin approximately one to four days after being exposed to the illness and last from two to seven days. |
| Status: | confirmed |
Indiana reports four human cases of H3N2v influenza, advises public to protect themselves at fairs this summer
Photo/Agricultural Research Service
Human infections with H3N2v are rare but have most commonly occurred after close proximity to live infected pigs, such as working with them in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by eating pork and pork products.
Symptoms of variant influenza A include: fever, cough, sore throat, chills, headache and muscle aches. Diarrhea and nausea may occur in children. Symptoms can begin approximately one to four days after being exposed to the illness and last from two to seven days.
Nationwide last year, 309 cases of H3N2v infection across 12 states were detected, resulting in one fatality. These infections were mostly associated with prolonged exposure to pigs at agricultural fairs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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