Swine flu is a new strain of viral influenza that killed hundreds of people across the world in 2009. It is also known as Swine Influenza, pig flu and hog flu. As the name suggests, Swine Flu originates from pigs. A fairly common occurrence among the pig population, it is rarely fatal. It can spread in the pig population throughout the year, but is spread most actively in winter and late autumn months. Swine flu was first established as a disease in pigs in 1930's.

Swine Flu among pigs:

Although a regular occurrence in pigs, Swine flu rarely infects the human bodies. Mostly, the human bodies produce anti bodies when exposed to Swine Flu virus and the strains of human influenza are suppressed before it spreads any further. However, over the years several subtypes of the swine influenza virus have emerged like the H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1. Out of these, the H1N1 strain has proved to be highly infectious among the human population.

The Swine flu spread among humans:

When the transmission of Swine Influenza causes human influenza, it is known as Zoonotic Swine flu. People who are regularly exposed to pigs have higher risk of Swine flu influenza. Intensive pig farming with close proximity to pigs is the most likely cause for spread of the Swine Flu virus to human bodies. Once the human population is infected, Swine flu spreads further like other forms of flu through airborne transmission. Though the strains of swine flu rarely pass from human to human, the year 2009 saw a worldwide outbreak of swine flu or more specifically the H1N1.

Thousands got affected with Swine Flu and the World Health Organization declared the spread of disease at a pandemic level as well as "of public health emergency of international concern". The outbreak began in the Veracruz State of Mexico and other regions most affected were USA, certain parts of northern and Eastern Europe and a few areas of east and south of Asia. In USA alone there were approximately 9800 deaths recorded due to Swine flu till November, 2009. The general symptoms of Zoonotic Swine flu in human beings are similar to those of a normal flu, namely, cold and cough mild fever, running nose, sore throat etc. The H1N1 virus affects not only people with low immunity, but also spreads voraciously among the healthy human population.