Since the dawn of the 20th century, various breeds and mutations of viruses have caused panic to ensue in several countries around the globe. Some of the most popular names that became synonymous to new breeds of illnesses and disease were Anthrax, Mad Cow, and the recent A H1N1. Scientists noted that even the common cold and flu have already transformed due to climate changes, and the advancement of chemicals. Out of all the new breeds of illnesses and viruses that have struck the globe, the Influenza A H1N1 Virus strain had caused much turmoil in both developed and non-developed countries as the H1N1 strain was unlike any form of influenza that can easily be treated by the medications present today. The formation of such new virus paved the concern to many that viruses nowadays are keeping up with change, becoming deadlier and hard to destroy with present medications available.
Influenza A H1N1 is subtype of the influenza virus which contributed to various forms of outbreak of influenza around the globe as it originated from an animal source. The H1N1 flu can also be called “swine flu”. Like the traditional flu and influenza, the H1N1 flu also causes respiratory infection to all those who contract it and can be transmitted from one person to another through coughing or sneezing. What makes H1N1 different from the common influenza strain is new nature of the virus, making it a rare form of flu. Chances of contracting the H1N1 are also rare especially if one is 65 years old and above. Many records have noted that the H1N1’s main victims are younger people 25 years old and below. What makes H1N1 similar to the common flu or influenza is that both share the same symptoms such as fever, body and headache, sore throat, fatigue, cold, and diarrhea. Both illnesses come through person to person, either by coughing or sneezing. Finally, what makes traditional flu and H1N1 similar is their form of treatment1.
Since the 19th century, influenza has always been directed as a common human disease rather than a disease also contracted by animals. However, in September 30 to October 5 of 1918, many pig farmers in Iowa noted the signs of flu in their swines presented in the Cedar Rapids Swine Show. Soon afterwards, the first few influenza victims appeared around the Atlantic and into Europe, before it reached Spain. The epidemic became known with the nickname “Spanish flu” due to the severity of the disease in the country. However, the geographic origin of the virus is unknown as it varied in severity in the countries that have contracted outbreaks2. The Spanish flu outbreak was catastrophic to many countries since it killed people in just 25 weeks. The 1918 influenza pandemic not only spread out human influenza A around the globe, but it also shown swine herds contracting similar syndromes of influenza normally seen in humans. Some have even connected the 1918 H1N1 strain to be more severe than the ancient plagues. The 50 million death tolls had outranked even the Black Plague and the Justinian Plague.
Analysis done to former victims of the 1918 strain and suggested that the survivors indeed contracted the H1N1 influenza virus. However, instead of swines being the main factor of the virus’ spread, the 1918 strain of the H1N1 virus originated from a bird type influenza virus3. The present day 1918 H and N strain analysis tries to understand the antigens and composition of the genes to formulate a new vaccine. Some pointed out that the virus’ potency in the 1918 epidemic is due to the presence of H and N genes present in the virus. In 2005, a group of scientists have reconstructed the 1918 Spanish influenza virus to indicate what has caused the deaths of its victims and the agent prominent in the virus. Although the study did not reveal the actual reason as to why the virus was so potent in 1918, analysis shows that there were high percentages of chemokine and cytokine in the virus, causing infiltration of cells, and haemorrhage. There were also studies that noted that the NS1 protein found in the H1N1 strain affected the potency of the influenza virus4.
Studies done in that period have shown similarities in the influenza strains in both human and swine, revealing that the 1918 pandemic came from swine flu. The causative agent discovered in 1931 by Robert Shope, a veterinarian, when he transmitted the agent of swine influenza to healthy animals proved the similarity of swine and human influenza strains. Experiments had also suggested that the swine influenza strain has already been present in society even before 1918, signifying that the H1N1 strain has already evolved. Shope also included in his research that antibody specificity in the 1918 virus transformed due to the swine influenza virus. He discovered that infants and adults over age 20 had neutralizing antibodies that enable them to be protected from the swine influenza strain. Nevertheless, these people are still vulnerable to the human influenza strain. Shope noted that the absence of antibodies against the H1N1 swine virus in 1919 up to the present notes that the virus has already transformed into an antigenic source5.
Since the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak of the H1N1 virus, the virus continued to evolve to various strains and names. In 2005, the avian H5N1 influenza had alarmed the scientific community as the nature of the virus is notable with the H1N1 virus in the 1918 epidemic. Initial phylogenetic results from various experiments regarding the H5N1 strain closely suggested the similarities of the 1918 H1N1, signifying that the avian strain had its roots coming from the classic swine flu variant.
With the H5N1 virus showing these characteristics, the health sector around the globe had to contain the panic that has struck the public due to the notorious background of the 1918 pandemic. The alarming reaction of the public intensified in January 2006 when several H5N1 virus samples from selected Turks reported to be brought for analysis. However, the study of the samples proved that the H5N1 virus’ similarity with the H1N1 strain is inconclusive considering that both influenza strains were multigenic. Although the tensions hampered regarding the H5N1 disease, it proved to the public that even the scientific community is vulnerable in the midst of viral panic 6.
After the H5N1 Avian flu strain, reports in April 2009 reported the return of the H1N1 strain. The first reported case came from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as two children reported infliction of a unique strain of the influenza virus. The strain reported to have gene structures similar to that of the swine flu virus. By April 23rd, the CDC recorded five more similar cases, this time in California and Texas. Mexico also reported the same H1N1 strain on April 24, announcing that the whole country contracted the virus. Schools and gatherings around Mexico closed due to the epidemic, in fear that many would also be prone in acquiring the illness. The WHO had also reported cases on April 27, 2009 from Canada and Spain. Immediately, the WHO raised the influenza pandemic alert to Phase 5, noting that a possible pandemic could hit the entire globe. By June 11, 2009, the WHO announced that the H1N1 strain is now virulent, and increased the pandemic alert to Phase 6. At least 50,000 cases of the H1N1 complication in 80 countries with 231 deaths recorded traces back to the beginning of the pandemic in April.
The response to the 2009 H1N1 strain around the globe was prominent due to the WHO advisory of the nature of the virus. China has issued quarantine orders to any Mexican nationals entering or living in the country due to the virus’ capacity to be transmitted directly. Mexico found the Chinese action discriminatory and ordered all flights to China cancelled until such time China releases the quarantine order. The members of the European Union had issued travel advisories in lieu of the 2009 outbreak and warned their citizens to refrain travelling to the US or to Mexico. The US had also issued travel advisories to its citizens to refrain travelling to Mexico as the first severe case of the H1N1 pandemic began. For other countries, they installed “thermal scanners” in key entrances to the country such as airports and ports to detect the temperature of incoming and outgoing passengers. A passenger with body temperature reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit becomes subjected to further screening. In Egypt, the government ordered the immediate slaughtering of pigs since the virus can originate from swines. Pork imports, especially those coming from the US, Canada, and Mexico discontinued importation due to the pandemic7.
As of today, the H1N1 influenza strain continues to be monitored by the World Health Organization as new strains of the virus discovered presented virulent trait such as the swine flu strain. The virus has also continued spreading worldwide, causing 17,000 deaths since 2010. A pandemic alert is issued around the globe as the flu virus has adopted the typical flu season patterns similar to the common flu. In the Americas, the WHO has mentioned a pandemic alert regarding the H1N1 virus8. Despite this, various pharmaceutical companies from developing countries are racing the clock to develop a vaccine. For the H1N1, two types of vaccines have already received recommendations from the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency due to their capacity to contain the virus – the adjuvanted and unadjuvanted vaccines. The adjuvant vaccine contains substances that targets the immune system and boosts its reaction time. It also comprises ingredients such as oil, water, and vitamin E, which helps in improving the body. On the other hand, the unadjuvanted vaccine also concentrates on the immune system, but it does not contain the same ingredients as the adjuvanted vaccine. Both vaccines distributed worldwide aim to prevent additional cases of the H1N1 disease. The only known side-effect of both types of H1N1 vaccines is the contraction of the Guillan-Barre syndrome, which is a disorder that causes muscle weakness and paralysis. However, the WHO has noted in its reports that the active monitoring of vaccine distribution has prevented the contraction of both the H1N1 flu and the Guillain-Barre syndrome, making it plausible to consider the developed vaccine the key to resolving the problem in influenza 9
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