Swine Influenza Virus, also known as SIV or swine flu, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that primarily affects pigs. It belongs to the family Orthomyxoviridae and is classified in the genus Influenzavirus C. Swine flu is characterized by the presence of the influenza A virus subtype H1N1, but there are other subtypes such as H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2.
Swine Influenza Virus can cause mild to severe illness in pigs, leading to respiratory distress, high fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and loss of appetite. In some cases, it can also result in severe pneumonia, causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in young pigs.
Although generally circumscribed within the swine population, certain strains of Swine Influenza Virus have the potential to cross over from pigs to humans, causing zoonotic infections. The transmission may occur through direct contact with infected pigs, inhalation of respiratory droplets from infected pigs, or indirectly through contaminated objects or environments.
In humans, Swine Influenza Virus infections share similar symptoms to seasonal influenza, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, fatigue, and in some cases, gastrointestinal symptoms. Most individuals experience a self-limiting illness, but severe complications and even deaths have been reported, especially in individuals with pre-existing health conditions or weakened immune systems.
The prevention and control of Swine Influenza Virus involve vaccination of pigs, strict biosecurity measures in swine herds, and public health education on hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
