Swine influenza is a flu infection virus found commonly in pigs across the world. It is also known as hog flu, pig flu and pig influenza. There are several sub- types of swine flu namely the H1N1, H1N2, H3N1 and H2N3. Though common in the pig population, it is rarely fatal and even more rarely transferred to human beings. When it is transferred in a human being, it is called Zoonotic Swine Flu. The main reason for transfer from pigs to the human population is close proximity to pigs kept in unhygienic conditions. However, even transfer from this source is not very common.

The year 2009 saw a mass outbreak of the H1N1 strain of swine flu across the world. The outbreak started in Mexico and soon spread across North America, Europe and Asia. The World Health Organization declared the spread of swine flu at pandemic levels. Thousands of people became prey to the disease and hundreds of people died because of it. National health authorities of the affected countries launched nationwide preventive measures to ensure that the disease would not spread any further. Effective vaccination was developed across the world which would not only treat patients already infected by the swine flu virus, but also act as a preventive measure among unaffected people. The health authorities of all countries also released travel advisories for people visiting other countries affected by the outbreak of swine flu.

- First and foremost, is advised to restrict any visit to areas or countries with high concentration of swine flu influenza.

- If the visit to affected areas or countries is inevitable, it is strongly recommended that all travelers get themselves checked for any flu like symptoms like respiratory problems, common cold and cough or fever. People who are already suffering of other diseases have low immunity and are at a higher risk to catching the swine flu infection.

- Travelers have also been given general precautionary measures like avoiding crowded places, covering mouth and nose with clean cloth or mask if coming in contact with contaminated people or surfaces etc.

- Once the travelers return from countries which have been adversely affected by swine flu, the authorities insist on conducting preliminary laboratory tests as a precaution from further infection in public.

The responsibility lies on the common men as well as the government to curb the spread of a disease like the swine flu.