Swine flu

While governments have dithered over an official name for the new strain of influenza first identified on a small farm in Mexico some months ago, the public has consistently called it “swine flu”. The name is of little consequence. What does matter is that people and businesses take appropriate precautions. This strain is sufficiently different from prior strains that no one has natural immunity. Swine flu has so overwhelmed the common seasonal flu that over 90% of all new flu cases being reported are identified as swine flu. For most people who contract swine flu, the outcome is similar to a case of the seasonal flu: aches, pains, fever, chills, and significant discomfort for about a week, followed by slow recovery. For a small percentage, though, the swine flu has proven fatal. The seasonal flu can also be fatal, but generally only for high-risk individuals (e.g., the elderly, infants, and persons with compromised immune systems). The swine flu has proven fatal for young people in good health and for pregnant women. This strain cannot be taken for granted. Individuals and families must plan ahead to lower their risks of contracting the disease. Businesses must plan ahead so as to minimize disruptions that might be caused by a large percentage of employees not being at work, either because the individual is ill or because the employee must remain home to care for a family member. Arrangements should be maximized to allow for work to be performed remotely. Employees should be cross-trained to perform vital tasks usually done be others. For vessels, arrangements should be made in advance to locate replacement personnel for incapacitated crew members. Finally, everyone should obtain the swine flu vaccine when it becomes available.