Health ministry officials are to meet this morning to decide if there is a need to increase coverage at the island's international airports in light of a new strain of swine flu identified in Mexico and the United States. Experts say the new strain could lead to a global pandemic.

According to the World Health Organisation, swine influenza, or 'swine flu', is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses.

Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs and it has pandemic potential because it is infecting people.

Rudyard Spencer, minister of health, said the ministry has been taking preventative steps to ensure that persons coming into the island are screened.

"We are taking preparatory steps to ensure that nothing happens. For example, the desks at both airports are operable where we have nurses manning the desks," Spencer told The Gleaner yesterday. "We will meet to see whether or not it is necessary to increase our coverage at the airports."

An Associated Press report stated that health authorities in Mexico have reported more than 1,300 people who are likely sickened with the virus since April 13, and up to 81 dead.

Properly screened

"We have never removed our alert for malaria and things like that, so anyone coming into our airports will be properly screened for this swine flu," Spencer said in seeking to reassure the nation.

The health minister said the ministry was at a preliminary stage of alert and that it would be able to give a more detailed report on what would be done to mitigate a possible outbreak of swine flu in Jamaica, following today's meeting which is expected to begin at 9 a.m.

Spencer said the matter would also be discussed at this morning's Cabinet meeting, where the Ministry of Agriculture will outline its plans to prevent an outbreak of swine flu.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Frequently asked questions

How is the virus spread?

The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs.

How do people become infected?

People usually get swine influenza from infected pigs, however, some human cases lack contact history with pigs or environments where pigs have been located. Human-to-human transmission has occurred in some instances but was limited to close contacts and closed groups of people.

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?

Yes. Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. The swine-influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160F/70C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meats.

Source: World Health Organisation