Tweet
H1N1 Virus Spreads More Rapidly In Countries With Temperate Climate
Last Updated on Saturday, 05 September 2009 10:07
Written by Brunei Times
Saturday, 05 September 2009 09:29
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Influenza A (H1N1) virus could spread more rapidly in both quantity and severity in countries with temperate climates and frequent seasonal changes like the United Kingdom, in comparison to countries like Brunei, where there are only wet and dry seasons.
While there is currently no data on H1N1 virus itself, it can be assumed that the virus shares similar properties with that of the seasonal influenza virus.
'As we all should know by now, flu-causing viruses are spread through droplet secretions and contaminations of the surroundings," said the Ministry of Health's RIPAS H1N1 Committee before elaborating that there are many factors that can affect how long H1N1 virus can survive outside of the human body.
"How long the influenza survives in airborne droplets seems to be influenced by the levels of humidity and UV radiation: with low humidity and a lack of sunlight in winter probably aiding its survival," it said.
In its periodic statement on the H1N1 update, the committee, comprising designated clinicians (doctors) involved in the management of the pandemic said the virus was estimated to be able to survive for one to two days on hard, non-porous surfaces such as plastic or metal, for about 15 minutes on dry paper tissues and only five minutes on skin.
The virus will, however, survive for longer periods if it is present in mucus, and last indefinitely when frozen, it added. It also said that the virus , "are inactivated by heating to 56 degrees celsius for a minimum of 60 minutes, as well as acids at a pH value of lower than two".
The committee also clarified some doubts regarding the production of antibodies after the patient had been treated with Tamiflu. It stated that, in most cases, the clinical symptoms correlate well with the viral load, which means that a higher amount of virus in one's body will result in more severe symptoms.
"In a well person, higher viral loads tend to induce higher immune response, resulting in higher antibodies level. Therefore, even with a course of Tamiflu treatment, which lowers the viral load, you are very likely to develop antibodies," it said.
"However, for those who have sub-clinical symptoms (very mild) or no symptoms at all but confirmed to have the infection, it is currently not known whether antibodies will develop or not especially if Tamiflu had been given either as treatment or prophylaxis (preventative treatment)."
It was estimated that the hit rate of the pandemic is recorded to be around 20 to 30 per cent.
"This, however, does not necessarily mean that all will be equally affected," it said, adding that a majority of those infected will have the milder form whilst a smaller proportion will have the more severe form.
Not everyone who has contracted the virus will develop all the classical symptoms, according to the committee.
Last Updated on Saturday, 05 September 2009 10:07
Written by Brunei Times
Saturday, 05 September 2009 09:29
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Influenza A (H1N1) virus could spread more rapidly in both quantity and severity in countries with temperate climates and frequent seasonal changes like the United Kingdom, in comparison to countries like Brunei, where there are only wet and dry seasons.
While there is currently no data on H1N1 virus itself, it can be assumed that the virus shares similar properties with that of the seasonal influenza virus.
'As we all should know by now, flu-causing viruses are spread through droplet secretions and contaminations of the surroundings," said the Ministry of Health's RIPAS H1N1 Committee before elaborating that there are many factors that can affect how long H1N1 virus can survive outside of the human body.
"How long the influenza survives in airborne droplets seems to be influenced by the levels of humidity and UV radiation: with low humidity and a lack of sunlight in winter probably aiding its survival," it said.
In its periodic statement on the H1N1 update, the committee, comprising designated clinicians (doctors) involved in the management of the pandemic said the virus was estimated to be able to survive for one to two days on hard, non-porous surfaces such as plastic or metal, for about 15 minutes on dry paper tissues and only five minutes on skin.
The virus will, however, survive for longer periods if it is present in mucus, and last indefinitely when frozen, it added. It also said that the virus , "are inactivated by heating to 56 degrees celsius for a minimum of 60 minutes, as well as acids at a pH value of lower than two".
The committee also clarified some doubts regarding the production of antibodies after the patient had been treated with Tamiflu. It stated that, in most cases, the clinical symptoms correlate well with the viral load, which means that a higher amount of virus in one's body will result in more severe symptoms.
"In a well person, higher viral loads tend to induce higher immune response, resulting in higher antibodies level. Therefore, even with a course of Tamiflu treatment, which lowers the viral load, you are very likely to develop antibodies," it said.
"However, for those who have sub-clinical symptoms (very mild) or no symptoms at all but confirmed to have the infection, it is currently not known whether antibodies will develop or not especially if Tamiflu had been given either as treatment or prophylaxis (preventative treatment)."
It was estimated that the hit rate of the pandemic is recorded to be around 20 to 30 per cent.
"This, however, does not necessarily mean that all will be equally affected," it said, adding that a majority of those infected will have the milder form whilst a smaller proportion will have the more severe form.
Not everyone who has contracted the virus will develop all the classical symptoms, according to the committee.
Comment