Swine flu: lessons we need to learn from our global experience

Abstract

There are important lessons to be learnt from the recent 'Swine Flu' pandemic. Before we call it a pandemic, we need to have appropriate trigger points that involve not only the spread of the virus but also its level of virulence. This was not done for H1N1 (swine flu). We need to ensure that we improve the techniques used in trying to decrease the spread of infection-both in the community and within our hospitals. This means improved infection control and hygiene, and the use of masks, alcohol hand rubs and so on. We also need to have a different approach to vaccines. Effective vaccines were produced only after the epidemic had passed and therefore had relatively little impact in preventing many infections. Mass population strategies involving vaccines and antivirals also misused large amounts of scarce medical resources.

Keywords: H1N1; Influenza; anti-viral therapy; pandemic response; swine flu; vaccination.

Fig. 1

Laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Australia, up to 6 November 2009 by jurisdiction. Source: Australian influenza surveillance summary report No. 26, 2009, reporting period: 31 October 2009–6 November 2009 (see Ref. 4).