Was The Swine Flu Scare Just A Hoax?

Statistics have told us the true story. There is a yawning gap between the numbers of predicted deaths due to swine flu vis-à-vis the actual numbers. 2009 witnessed WHO declaring swine flu as a ‘pandemic’ leading to pharmaceutical companies investing fortunes in developing vaccines to combat the disease.

However, in a recent report, a leading health care expert has stated that swine flu outbreak was a “false pandemic” driven by drug companies that stood to make billions of pounds from a worldwide scare. Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, head of health at the Council of Europe, has said that this false alarm has led to pharmaceutical firms ensuring “enormous gains”, with countries squandering their health budgets on vaccinating millions against what was actually a mild disease.

The Council of Europe, the Strasbourg-based “senate” responsible for the European Court of Human Rights, has passed a resolution proposed by Dr. Wodarg, which calls for an investigation into the role of drug firms in this entire episode, who he believes have pressured WHO into declaring a global pandemic.

In a startling revelation, Documents acquired through the Danish Freedom of Information Act revealed that Professor Juhani Eskola – a Finnish member of the WHO board on vaccines called the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) – received almost 6.3 million Euros in 2009 for his vaccine research programme from the vaccine manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline. Furthermore, Danish journalists reported that six other members of ‘Strategic Advisory Group of Experts’ (SAGE) with financial ties to various pharmaceutical companies. Many of the pharmaceutical companies with which the vaccine board members had ties, are also the manufacturers of vaccines including the H1N1 vaccine like GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Novartis, Solvay, Baxter, MedImmune and Sanofi Aventis.

The drug company GlaxoSmithKline responded to Wodarg’s allegations. “Allegations of undue influence are misguided and unfounded. The WHO declared that H1N1 swine flu met the criteria for a pandemic. Responding to it has required unprecedented collaboration. As WHO have stated, legal regulations and numerous safeguards are in place to manage possible conflicts of interest,” it stated.

According to Dr. Wodarg, the fear that began with the avian flu virus caused governments to stockpile anti-flu drugs and put in place ‘sleeping contracts’ for millions of doses of vaccine. Dr Wodarg said: “The governments have sealed contracts with vaccine producers where they secure orders in advance and take upon themselves almost all the responsibility. In this way the producers of vaccines are sure of enormous gains without having any financial risks. So they just wait, until WHO says ‘pandemic’ and activate the contracts.” He also believes that these anti0viral drug manufacturers placed people in the cogs of the WHO and coaxed the organisation to soften its definition of a pandemic, thereby declaring swine flu a global pandemic. He further said: “We have had a mild flu – and a false pandemic.”

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H1N1 vaccine optional: Health Ministry

Health Ministry affirmed here yesterday that the H1N1 vaccine was optional not mandatory. Dr. Ibrahim Abdulhadi, Undersecretary at the Ministry, told KUNA that news in the media about the mandatory vaccine was not true, stressing that the situation did not require such measures to be implemented. Kuwait witnessed around 8,644 cases of the H1N1 (commonly known as the swine flue) since last April with most cases recovering from the disease.

Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that around 22 cases of swine flu H1N1 were reported this week, a drop in the number of cases in comparison to the past months.

Thus, the total number of A(H1N1) cases in Kuwait has reached 8,644 since the outbreak of the virus in the country last April, the ministry's spokesman, Qais Al-Duweiri, said.

He added, the ministry follows the World Health Organization WHO's regulations, calling upon citizens to commit to precautionary guidelines to curb the spread of the disease.

Children under the age of five, pregnant women and those over the age of 65 years are more vulnerable to the disease, in addition to those with chronic illnesses and low immune systems.

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Hajj wraps; ‘No hugging, kissing’

Image by Elias Pirasteh via Flickr

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 29: No hugging or kissing for pilgrims coming back home from Hajj in order to steer clear from contracting potential contagious diseases, the Kuwaiti Hajj Mission urged families of pilgrims Sunday. Out of concern over everyone’s health, and in precaution against A (H1N1) or swine flu, the mission, in a statement, urged pilgrims to seek medical advice should they encounter flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature or breathing problems. It also stressed on constant washing of hands with soap for pilgrims and not to mingle with others for at least a day after arrival. Groups most vulnerable for the diseases are children under five years and adults over 65, pregnant women, and those suffering from chronic diseases.

The annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage to Makkah wound up on Sunday without the feared mass outbreak of swine flu, Saudi authorities said, reporting a total of five deaths and 73 proven cases. Five pilgrims died from the A(H1N1) flu virus during the hajj, Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah said, as around 2.3 million pilgrims began an exodus from Makkah, the home in western Saudi Arabia of Islam’s holiest site. Rabeeah said there had been no other serious health problems. “It gives me pleasure to announce ... that the hajj of 2009 was free from any outbreak of disease or epidemic,” the minister said, quoted by the official Saudi news agency SPA. Working with international health authorities, Saudi Arabia mounted a concerted campaign to minimise the threat and mobilised 20,000 health workers for the hajj.

Countries were warned not to send children, the elderly or those with existing medical conditions on the annual pilgrimage. Also, vaccines were rushed to health workers when they became available at the start of November and heat-sensing cameras were set up at airports and around the main hajj sites to detect anyone with a feverish body temperature. The dead were four elderly pilgrims, all over 70, from India, Morocco, Pakistan and Sudan, and a 17-year-old Nigerian woman. All of them had other ailments, including heart disease and cancer, which left them more vulnerable to swine flu, health officials said. The world’s largest annual pilgrimage went off nearly trouble-free, Saudi officials said, compared to previous years when the hajj was marred by deadly stampedes and clashes with Iranian pilgrims.

The massive crowds of pilgrims were also able to move about easily, thanks in part to a huge five-storey walkway designed to avoid crushes at the jamarat pillars in Mina, where pilgrims undertake the ritual of stoning the devil. The site was the scene of several panics in past years that left hundreds dead. Worries over a possible contentious political protest by Iranians also came to nought. Ahead of the hajj, Saudi authorities warned against political activity, but they did not interfere on Thursday when Iranian pilgrims chanted “Death to America and Israel” in a ritual-like action inside a large tent in Mina.

As pilgrims began their mass exodus from Makkah, there was concern for those leaving from the coastal hub of Jeddah where a downpour on Wednesday that sparked deadly flash floods has killed more than 100 people. Roads and bridges in some part of Jeddah — the main gateway to Makkah — were swept away by the floods. More than a million of the pilgrims are expected to depart through Jeddah’s airport and seaport, but roads are still not completely clear in the city. Millions of Muslim pilgrims were pelting stone walls representing the devil before a final trip back to Islam’s holiest site on the closing day of the annual hajj.

Around 3 million pilgrims were casting pebbles Sunday at three walls in the desert valley of Mina in a symbolic rejection of Satan’s temptation for a third consecutive day. The faithful will then head back to Makkah for a final journey — known as the Farewell Circulation — around the Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred site. The stoning of the devil ritual, performed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, is when the crowds of pilgrims at the five-day hajj are at their height and contact between them is closest. Under a hot sun Saturday, hundreds of thousands of sweaty bodies pressed against each other toward the stoning walls. The majority did not wear masks, and many sneezed, coughed and spat and looked visibly exhausted.

Other parts of the hajj — such as the circling of the Kaaba shrine in Makkah — see a lot of physical contact and close quarters, but perhaps not as much as the rites at Mina, in a desert valley outside Makkah. The epic crowds squeeze together along ramps and platforms that control traffic around the walls. They push past each other to hurl their pebbles at each wall, often shouting curses at Satan and rejecting his temptations. “This is when the crowding is at its peak and this is where the spreading is likely to take place,” said Hassan el-Bushra, an epidemiologist at the Cairo office of the World Health Organization. “All the hajjis (pilgrims) are in a very limited physical location.” Like many here, Mikail Ocasio, a 28-year-old pilgrim from Maryland, dismissed the swine flu worries. “No disease was going to stop me from making my hajj,” he said. “Allah made the call to me and made it available and nothing is going to stop me.” Mina has long been the most dangerous of hajj rituals because the same overwhelming crowds raise the risk of deadly crushes and trampling.

In 2006, more than 360 pilgrims were killed when a piece of dropped luggage in a moving crowd caused a pile-up. Since then, Saudi authorities expanded the giant ramp around the walls to five stories, spreading out the masses over different levels to prevent jams. American and Saudi health officials circulated among the sprawling tent camp at Mina where the pilgrims live and gave the faithful cheek swabs for testing later. Health authorities hung posters of correct hand washing, and hand sanitizer dispensers were placed on walls in the camps, near public bathrooms and at ritual sites. Pilgrims arriving at Saudi airports were also scanned using a thermal camera and were offered a free vaccine.

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Preventive measures ease problem; Proper steps to tackle swine flu

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

"I have discussed measures in dealing with swine flu in my previous posts. Here's to update you. Read on carefully.."

THE 2009 H1N1 influenza is caused by a new strain of influenza virus. This virus was originally called “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many genes in the virus were similar to the virus found in the North American pigs. But further testing showed it is a new virus which also has two genes from the virus found in European and Asian pigs, avian (bird) and human genes. It is therefore a ‘quadruple reassortant’ virus.

It is recognized as a pandemic, meaning it has spread to many countries in many different parts of the world. The incidence in Kuwait seems to be on the rise as higher numbers of confirmed cases are being reported. Like other flu viruses, H1N1 spreads from person to person through droplet infection which occurs on coughing, sneezing, and touching nose or mouth after touching contaminated objects. The virus can survive up to 2 to 8 hours on a contaminated object.

Symptoms of H1N1 usually include two or more of fever (38 C or more), sore throat, cough, sneezing, headache, body pain, chills, tiredness and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Some have respiratory symptoms without fever. It is to be noted that one does not get the infection by eating properly handled pork or pork products.

Since the 2009 H1N1 is a new flu virus and very different from seasonal flu viruses, all children and most adults do not have immunity to it and can get infected. Most people feel better within a week. But some get pneumonia or other serious complications.

Those who have a weak immune system or are on medicines like steroids that suppress immunity, pregnant women, children below the age of 4 years, people with diseases like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, blood diseases, asthma and COPD (mainly in chronic smokers), neurological and neuromuscular diseases have a higher risk of catching the infection and complications. People above 65 years are less likely to be infected by H1N1 but become more sick if they catch the infection. Children and teenagers who are on continuous aspirin therapy have higher chance of complications. Those who are very sick or have high risk of complications may have to be hospitalized and some of the seriously affected may die.

What is to be done if you catch ‘flu’.

H1N1 and seasonal flu have the same symptoms initially and it is difficult to differentiate between the two without special tests. Remain calm as the vast majority of those infected recover without any complication. It is important to follow certain steps for quick recovery and to prevent infection of others.

1. Stay home if possible till you have recovered from fever. If this is not possible wear a mask when in contact with other people. The droplet infection can reach people who are up to 6 feet away from you. Practice good hygiene; cover nose and mouth with tissue while coughing or sneezing and dispose the tissue in the waste bin, wash hands with soap for 20 to 30 seconds before shaking hands with others, avoid kissing as greeting, do not share cups and utensils without washing etc.

2. Antibiotics have no effect on the virus. Many people including some health care workers feel antibiotics are required for all sore throats. Unless there is a secondary bacterial infection avoid use of antibiotics. It is not advisable to use antibiotics in the hope of preventing a bacterial infection. One can use an antiseptic or salt water gargle, paracetamol, antihistamines or simple cough syrups as required for relief. Antibiotics are required if there is a bacterial infection. Let your doctor, supported by appropriate tests, decide on that.

3. People with good immunity recover faster and have less complications. Some of the ways to boost your immunity are
a) Eat wholesome healthy food with plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid junk foods.
b) Drink plenty of warm fluids. Soups and green tea are good.
c) Take adequate rest and sleep.
c) Use of food supplements and herbs like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Zinc, Omega 3 fatty acids, Turmeric, Garlic, Ginger, Echinacea , Aloe Vera and bioflavonoids may help. Please check with your doctor if you are on medications.

4. Anti-viral medicines: The antiviral medicine commonly available in Kuwait is Oseltamir ( Tamiflu and generics). Most healthy people except the ones at high risk for complications recover and do not require antiviral medicine. Anti-virals are advisable in the very sick and who are at a higher risk of complication. To be most effective the medicine has to be started within 2 days of getting the infection and should be continued for 5 days. Some people recommend taking the medicine for those who had a close contact with infected people to prevent the infection. This, in our personal opinion, is not advisable as these medicines are effective only as long as they are taken and has to be taken for 10 days to prevent an infection. In the usual circumstances in Kuwait a person might have multiple exposures and a course of medication is required each time and these medicines are not without side effects. A better option would be that people who are at high risk of complication should keep a course of Oseltamir with them and should take the medicine for 5 days starting on the first day of symptoms. Please follow your physician’s advice on this.

Medicines for relief of fever and related symptoms: Paracetamol is the best choice. Aspirin should be avoided in children and adolescents as there is a risk of Reye’s syndrome.
Emergency warning signs to seek urgent medical care

In children:
Fast breathing or troubled breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough
Fever with a rash

In adults:
Breathing difficulty or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting

How can we protect ourselves from getting the infection?
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Wear a protective mask when one has to get closer than 6 feet to a possibly infected person.
* Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or kerchief while coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after using it. Do not cough or sneeze into the hands.
* After touching contaminated objects, coughing or sneezing wash hands under warm running water, scrub with soap for 20 to 30 seconds, rinse thoroughly. Dry hands with a paper towel and use the paper towel to turn off the tap. Alcohol-based hand cleaners can be used when washing is not possible.
* Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth after shaking hands or touching objects which may be contaminated. Avoid kissing an infected person. Germs spread this way.
* All those who have symptoms of flu should stay away from school or work.
* Practice healthy nutrition and healthy habits.

Influenza virus is destroyed by heat at 75-100ºC. Several chemical germicides like chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodine-based antiseptics and alcohols are also effective.
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick need not be cleaned separately, but it is important that these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes is not likely to transmit the viruses. H1N1 virus is unlikely to spread through water in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational water venues as the recommended free chlorine levels 1-3 parts per million for pools and 2-5 ppm for spas are believed to be adequate to kill the virus.

Vaccination: Vaccination is considered to be the best way to protect against the virus.

There are two types of vaccines.
* Inactivated vaccine containing killed virus which is given as injection
* Live attenuated (live, weakened) virus vaccine as nasal spray.

About 2 weeks after vaccination the protective antibodies will develop in the body.
Depending on the availability of the vaccine, priority may be given to
* pregnant women,
* those who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers),
* health-care and emergency medical services personnel,
* those aged 6 months-24 years with higher priority for children aged 6 months—4 years, children and adolescents aged 5-18 years with medical conditions which increase the risk for flu complications.
* those aged 25-64 years who have such medical conditions.

This is to be followed by vaccination of all in the 25-64 age group when available.
People who should not be vaccinated without the doctor’s recommendation.
* People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
* People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
* People who developed Guillian- Barre Syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.

Influenza vaccine is not approved in children less than 6 months. People with moderate-to-severe fever should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.
Vaccine Side Effects to be expected

The flu injection: The viruses are killed (inactivated), so one cannot get the flu from it.
Some minor side effects that may occur are:
Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, mild fever and body pain.
The symptoms are usually mild and last 1 to 2 days. Very rarely flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.

The nasal spray: This contains weakened viruses which may cause mild symptoms like running nose ,sore throat, cough or wheezing, headache, muscle aches, vomiting and fever.
One should follow the guidelines from the Kuwait Governmental authorities regarding vaccination.

In conclusion, H1N1 influenza is likely to be with us for several months and with adequate preventive measures and proper care, it is not as much a problem as many fear.

Please note: The above article has been compiled from a number of sources for the benefit of the community.

By Dr Daisy Noble and Dr Noble Zachariah

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25th swine flu death in Kuwait

"It's been awhile but I'm back and the news brought shivers to my spine. Since my last post, swine flu death toll now rose to 25th. Whoa!Keep on with your good health measures people."

KUWAIT, Nov 9, (Agencies): A woman infected with the H1N1 virus has passed away bringing total number of swine flu fatalities in Kuwait to 25, the Health Ministry announced on Monday. Spokesman of the ministry, Qais Al-Duwairi, said in a statement to KUNA that the deceased had suffered from diabetes, cardiac illnesses and high blood pressure. The dead patient had been treated with drugs and antibiotics but her condition remained unstable till she succumbed to her illnesses late last night, the spokesman said. Her demise brought the death toll of swine flu fatalities in the country to 25. Up to 99 percent of recorded swine flu cases had recovered.

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