A flu outbreak can have deadly consequences, especially when healthcare professionals have a hard time getting the drugs they need to treat the diseases. Recent outbreaks of bird flu and swine flu have strained the healthcare system and highlighted the need for research into the best and most cost-effective ways to treat these illnesses. Although bird flu and swine flu are not in the news as often these days, there have still been some recent cases.
Venezuela is one of the countries struggling with a swine flu outbreak; more than four hundred people there came down with the disease between May 26 and June 1, 2013. That brings the total number of cases for 2013 to 1,138, a significant increase. Isabel Iturria, Venezuela's health minister, says there is no indication that a special response is required. Douglas Natera, the leader of the Venezuelan Medical Federation, disagrees. He claims that Venezuelan authorities have withheld important information about the number of fatalities associated with this flu outbreak.
Humans are not the only ones coming down with swine flu. In May 2013, Megan Gannon of NBC reported that scientists had identified the H1NI strain of swine flu in some elephant seals living off the central California coast. H1N1 was the virulent strain that caused a major flu outbreak in 2009. Researchers believe that the marine mammals picked up the swine flu while swimming in the ocean, but they do not know how it was transmitted. They speculate that the seals came into contact with human feces or aquatic birds that were carrying the disease.
An avian flu outbreak is also a potential concern for healthcare professionals. In May 2013, the virus spread throughout Mexico, raising concerns about the safety of produce coming from the North American continent. Industry insiders point to unsafe practices as one of the reasons for the flu outbreak. Many farms do not maintain appropriate biosecurity practices, which makes it easy for the virus to spread. Some farmers also sell their untreated poultry litter to other farmers who grow fruits and vegetables. The farmers are supposed to be treating the litter before they sell it to other people, but some are not doing so. The practice of selling older hens also increases the risk of flu outbreak in Mexico and in countries that import poultry products from Mexico.
In April 2013, an avian flu outbreak killed nine people in China, prompting consumers to worry about the safety of poultry sold in the country. Yum Brands, which owns KFC, has experienced a dip in sales linked to the flu outbreak. The company is also struggling to recover from the discovery that some of its poultry products contained excess hormones and antibiotics.
As a healthcare professional, you must be aware of the implications of swine flu and avian flu outbreaks. If the viruses make a comeback in the United States, healthcare professionals may have to deal with drug shortages and difficulty controlling the transmission of these diseases. Healthcare professionals should educate their patients about hygiene and food safety to decrease the risk of another flu outbreak in the United States.
(Photo courtesy of ddpavumba / freedigitalphotos.net)
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