Selsema Babi

The world is no longer a safe place to live. Crimes, war, polluted air and water, overly re-engineered food and contagious diseases. And, talking about contagious diseases… in addition to the deadly Avian Flu (selsema burung) and SARs.. now we have the Swine Flu (selsema babi).

Maaf kalau korang tak suka aku tulis perkataan babi tu…ada pihak kata guna perkataan khinzir sebab lebih sopan… uh.. sopan? kenapa nak guna perkataan khinzir dari bahasa Arab tu kalau bahasa kita memang ada perkataan merujuk kepada haiwan tersebut? Heran aku…

Kalau korang notice, masa mula2 Swine Flu outbreak… TV3 guna perkataan selsema khinzir…tapi cuma sehari..lepas tu terus pakai selsema babi…kenapa?

All know that pig is one of the haram animal for Muslims. We’re not allowed to get in contact with them or eat the meat (pork).

I remember my new big boss from Taiwan asked during a group lunch, “Why Muslims can not eat pork?”. What do you think my reaction in front of other 10 Chinese colleagues, one Korean and one Malay?

Eventhough I was dying to tell them the scientific reasons underlying the haram-ness, I just told them;

“Pigs are considered DIRTY for us”. That’s it. Period.

If he were to ask further, I would say… just Google on “why pig is haram for Muslim”… the answers are all there. 

You see, the medical science finds that there is a risk for various diseases as the pig is found to be a host for many parasites and potential diseases. Swine and pigs have over a dozen parasites within them, such as tapeworms, flukes, worms, and trichinae. There is no safe temperature at which pork can be cooked to ensure that all these parasites, their cysts,and eggs will be killed

Further,  a pig cannot be slaughtered at the neck for it does not have a neck. A Muslim reasons that if the pig was to be slaughtered and fit for human consumption the Creator would have provided it with a neck. Why? Because animal need to be properly slaughtered so that it’s death is by total loss of blood.

You see blood is also haram to consume because it is abundance of uric acid,a chemical substance which can be injurious to human health.

The pig ‘s biochemistry excretes only 2% of its total uric acid content, the remaining 98% remains as an integral part of the body.  And, also everyone knows that swine (pig) eats its own excretion (dung), which means that of all the uric acid and the other waste products excreted, most of it goes back inside again. 

Eh.. aku nak cerita pasal selsema babi.. ter-cerita pasal binatang tu pulak… anyway.. aku risau sebab selsema babi dah merebak ke Singapura dan Thailand. Sangat dekat dgn negara kita.

Dan lagi, boss Taiwan aku tu dengar khabarnya akan ke US next week. Aisey…risiko besar ni. Jangan pulak dia balik bawa selsema tu!

Here are some facts about Swine Flu that I received.

What is swine Flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of person-to-person spread of swine flu viruses has been documented in the past, but this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

However, since March 2009 there has been a reported increase of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S. and internationally. This animal to human and human to human spread is now becoming a concern among International Health authorities as it has a potential to cause a pandemic. Currently, the ease of which human to human spread occurs is not known.

How many swine flu virus are there?

There are four main Influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs. They are  H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, H3N1. However most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 subtype.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

It has been determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. The recommended medication is the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).