An insight into the swine-influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in humans

WHO declares on June 11, 2009, that H1N1 (Swine-influenza A) is pandemic. There have been nearly 30,000 confirmed H1N1 cases across 74 countries. The reports have shown sharp increase in the number of infections reported in recent days from Chile, Japan, and the UK, and other parts of the world, with the most dramatic increase recorded in Australia where more than 1200 cases were reported in a very short duration. As per the latest report of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, death from swine flu has reached to 1235. Around 12,3397 people have been tested in India as on February 1, 2010. In India, 23.3% of people who have tested for swine flu are found suffering from swine flu. Also around 4% of people who have tested positive for swine flu have died and could not be saved in India. The New York Times has reported that this is the first flu for being pandemic in the last 41 years. This article enlightens the brief review about the swine influenza virus, its modes of spread, and prevention measures. The aim of this article is to bring awareness in general and know the consequences of the infection.