The Department of Health has issued this list of frequently asked questions and answers on swine flu:

What is swine influenza?

Swine influenza, or "swine flu", is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low.

The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols and direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs exist. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.

What are the implications for human health?

Outbreaks and sporadic human infection with swine flu have been occasionally reported worldwide. Generally, clinical symptoms are similar to seasonal flu but reported clinical presentation ranges broadly from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia resulting in death.

How do people become infected?

People usually get swine flu 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 flu has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs.

What drugs are available for treatment?

Antiviral drugs for seasonal flu are available in some countries and effectively prevent and treat the illness. There are two classes of such medicines, 1) adamantanes (amantadine and remantadine), and 2) inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamivir and zanamivir).

Most of the previously reported swine flu cases recovered fully from the disease without requiring medical attention and without antiviral medicines.

What should I do if I am in regular contact with pigs?

Even though there is no clear indication that the current human cases with swine flu infection are related to recent or ongoing flu-like disease events in pigs, it would be advisable to minimise contact with sick pigs and report such animals to relevant animal health authorities.

What should I do if I think I have swine flu?

If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough and/or sore throat:

• stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible;

• rest and take plenty of fluids;

• cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing and dispose of the used tissues properly;

• wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing;

• inform family and friends about your illness and seek help for household chores that require contact with other people such as shopping.

If you need medical attention:

Contact your doctor or health care provider before travelling to see them and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have swine flu, for example, if you have recently travelled to a country where there is a swine flu outbreak in humans. Follow the advice given to you for care.