Armenia takes safety precautions to prevent swine flue from entering the country

PanARMENIAN.Net - Swine flue is spreading throughout the world. Armenia, like other countries, takes safety precautions. Upon receiving WHO warning about swine flu outbreaks, inbound international passengers are being screened in Zvartnots quarantine points. "Inbound passengers from countries where the flue has been discovered, as well as passengers from developing countries are being screened," Leading Specialist of Epidemiology and Infectious/ Non-infectious Diseases Department at RA Ministry of Health told a PanARMENIAN.NET reporter.

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it's possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health: cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it, wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Last outbreak of a new strain of influenza virus, the "Spanish" influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 caused 50 million deaths worldwide.