Rising health concerns have been flagged in Delhi as a fresh wave of swine flu cases strikes. These new incidents resemble ordinary flu, making diagnosis more challenging. The cause behind this condition is the H1N1 virus, traditionally known as the “swine flu virus”. Pigs were primarily associated with this ailment historically, earning its common name “swine flu”. Discover more about this contagious disease and how it impacts human health below.
Symptoms and Transmission of Swine Flu
Swine flu triggers an infection in the respiratory tract. It manifests through typical flu indicators such as cough, nasal secretions, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, and headaches. Despite its alias, close proximity to pigs is no longer a requirement for transmission.
The H1N1 virus transfers between humans primarily through short-distance airborne transmission. Crowded enclosed spaces enhance the risk of contracting the virus. Other plausible transmission routes include hand contamination and direct contact with an infected person.
Zoonotic Influenzas: A Closer Look
Zoonotic influenzas emerge when humans contract viruses initially present in animals. Several subtypes exist, with avian, or bird flu, and swine flu being the most prevalent. The differentiating factors among these various subtypes are the virus surface proteins, hemagglutinin (HA), and neuraminidase (NA). So far, 18 different HA subtypes and 11 different NA subtypes have surfaced.
| Zoonotic Influenza Subtypes | Avian Influenza Virus Subtypes | Swine Influenza Virus Subtypes |
|---|---|---|
| A(H5N1) | A(H7N9) | A(H1N1) |
| A(H1N2) | A(H3N2) | A(H9N2) |
World Economic Outlook Report 2018 by IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently updated its biennial World Economic Outlook Report for 2018. Key forecasts include a 7.5% expansion in India’s GDP for FY20, increasing to 7.7% in FY21. Comparatively, China’s growth is predicted to settle at 6.2% for both years.
In an upgrade from a previous October 2018 projection, the FY20 forecast for India has been increased by 0.1 percentage point. Factors contributing to this positive economic outlook include lower oil prices and slower monetary tightening than previously projected. Moreover, inflationary pressures appear to be easing, presenting an opportunity for economic acceleration.
Finally, the global economy is slated for growth too, projected to climb by 3.5% in 2019 and 3.6% in 2020.
