Spring Break
Swine flu causes global concerns
Cameron Birch
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
Over 100 cases in the United States of the swine flu have been reported, and the influenza virus has killed one toddler in the country near the Mexico border in Texas.
Despite reports of the virus outbreak, Marla Gold, dean of Drexel's School of Public Health, said there is nothing different about the clinical presentation of swine flu as compared to regular flu at this time.
Gold emphasized that the difference between this flu and the seasonal outbreak is a "genetic difference" and that among anyone, there is no immunity to this outbreak.
"A vaccine can be developed … we are hoping a vaccine would be available next fall when the flu season is upon us," Gold said.
Although there is a fear of getting the disease, Gold said a yearly death toll of around 30,000 to 36,000 people were common for influenza.
Until then, Gold, along with Annette Molyneux, assistant dean in the Office of Counseling & Health, and Drexel's "Information about Swine Influenza" Web site, have highlighted hygiene practices to both protected oneself and others from the disease.
These practices include frequent hand washing with soap and water, avoiding contact with sick people, avoiding work and school when sick and avoiding touching one's face.
Drexel's swine flu site, accessible from the University's main page, features links to information from the Centers for Disease Control, general swine flu information, university notifications, Twitter feeds for updates and a YouTube video detailing symptoms of the flu.
Gold said the University and City had experience in dealing with these types of pandemics, with strategies developed from the previous avian flu and SARS scares.
Additionally, Gold said it was a common concern that people were worried over pork products.
"The answer is no [you won't get sick from eating pork], and you should always cook pork and pork products," she said.
The dean reiterated her "no" response when asked about any danger in dealing with laboratory animals or household pets.
Despite reports of the virus outbreak, Marla Gold, dean of Drexel's School of Public Health, said there is nothing different about the clinical presentation of swine flu as compared to regular flu at this time.
Gold emphasized that the difference between this flu and the seasonal outbreak is a "genetic difference" and that among anyone, there is no immunity to this outbreak.
"A vaccine can be developed … we are hoping a vaccine would be available next fall when the flu season is upon us," Gold said.
Although there is a fear of getting the disease, Gold said a yearly death toll of around 30,000 to 36,000 people were common for influenza.
Until then, Gold, along with Annette Molyneux, assistant dean in the Office of Counseling & Health, and Drexel's "Information about Swine Influenza" Web site, have highlighted hygiene practices to both protected oneself and others from the disease.
These practices include frequent hand washing with soap and water, avoiding contact with sick people, avoiding work and school when sick and avoiding touching one's face.
Drexel's swine flu site, accessible from the University's main page, features links to information from the Centers for Disease Control, general swine flu information, university notifications, Twitter feeds for updates and a YouTube video detailing symptoms of the flu.
Gold said the University and City had experience in dealing with these types of pandemics, with strategies developed from the previous avian flu and SARS scares.
Additionally, Gold said it was a common concern that people were worried over pork products.
"The answer is no [you won't get sick from eating pork], and you should always cook pork and pork products," she said.
The dean reiterated her "no" response when asked about any danger in dealing with laboratory animals or household pets.
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