Swine Flu measures

Influenza A (H1N1) virus is the most common cause of influenza in humans. In June 2009, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that flu due to a new strain of swine-origin H1N1 was responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic. This strain was commonly called “swine flu” by the public media. On the 11th June 2009, WHO raises Pandemic Level to Phase 6. H1N1 is very widespread.

It has been said by many that this stain of virus is very similar to a case in 1918, The Spanish Flu. The Spanish Flu was an unusually severe and deadly strain of avian influenza. That stain of influenza killed some 50 million to 100 million people worldwide for a year in 1918 and 1919. It is considered one of the most deadly pandemics in human history. It was caused by the H1N1 type of influenza virus, which is why everyone fears this current strain.

The first few affected countries have implemented the containment strategy. However, it did not seem to have worked. Some of these countries have set up and isolated buildings to isolate affected victims and those they have come into contact with.

Singapore has been affected by H1N1. In Singapore, the increasing numbers of infections shows that more people are infected from travelling overseas. These numbers signify that there are signs of local transmissions. Initial government measures include giving a 7-day leave of absence, and given home-quarantine after a visit to affected countries. Anyone who leaves house during home quarantine would receive a 10000 fine or 6 months in jail. Anyone whom had any flu symptoms would have to quarantine themselves for a week. Some schools which had confirmed cases closed down. MOE guidelines also states that no mass gatherings to be held.

However, with all these measures in place, I still do not believe that the virus can be stopped or contained in any countries. These measures cannot stop the spread of H1N1 but can only slow down the spread. The virus can travel in the air, invisible to our human eyes and there is no way that we can see the way it travels across the sea, air and land. Therefore, I feel that the measures are about useless to contain spread of H1N1.