The campaign against swine influenza has three main strategies:

1. Prevention of the virus in swine: Facility management involves the use of ambient temperature control and disinfectants. Herd management is carried out by preventing contamination of the herd by infected animals. Vaccination is also an essential component of the prevention process.

2. Prevention of transmission from swine to humans: Vaccinating swine to limit their infection is a major method of limiting the transmission of the virus from swine to humans. Transmission is mainly believed to occur in farms where humans and swine are in close contact. Farmers and veterinarians are advised to wear masks around animals and especially use gloves when handling sick swine.

3. Preventing the virus from spreading among humans: Influenza is spread between humans when people touch items with the virus on them and then touch their mouths and noses. Such items may have been infected by someone sneezing or coughing on them. Washing one's hands frequently, especially after touching foreign objects, and avoiding gatherings of people, especially those who may be infected with the virus.

Immediate treatment of infected persons with antiviral drugs can make a big difference, especially when administered within a couple of days of infection.

ABC reports today that:

"Government health officials said on Monday that the United States will have barely more than a third of the 120 million doses of swine flu they hoped would be available by mid-October,. That's far less than the 160 million doses they originally predicted in July."

Infectious diseases experts are warning that the US is completely unprepared for the return of the H1N1 virus. Do you think the US will be able to control the imminent return of the swine flu this Fall?

From reports I'm getting in early September, this is going to be a very challenging flu season. I'm not sure the government really understands or anticipates what will happen school are open. The virus is most virulent for those who are under 55 and have not experienced a similar virus in their lifetime. So school openings, and subsequent gatherings of students in large groups, will be problematic. In some hospitals, staff do not shake hands anymore, an elbow bump suffices!

I've noticed a tendency to add to every H1N1 death that the victim had "other health problems", but few of the stories actually describe such health problems. My hope is that "talking down" the pandemic does not become a strategy in itself. That will not be helpful. Get your flu shots if you can, wash your hands often, and take the other precautions described in this thread. If you are in the northern hemisphere, be careful this flu season.