What is Swine Flu?
Swine flu (swine influenza) is a disease of pigs. It is a highly
contagious respiratory disease caused by one of many Influenza A viruses. Approximately 1% to 4% of pigs that get
swine flu
die from it. It is spread among pigs by direct and indirect contact, aerosols, and
from pigs that are infected but do not have symptoms. In many parts of the world pigs are vaccinated against
swine flu.
Most commonly, swine flu is of the H1N1 influenza
subtype. However, they can sometimes come from the other types, such as H1N2, H3N1,
and H3N2.
The current outbreak of swine flu that has infected humans is of the H1N1 type - this type is not as dangerous as
some others.
|