The Director General of the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of a new strain of Swine Flu that was initially reported in Mexico & USA as a Public Health Event of International Concern, on Saturday 25th April 2009.
Swine Flu is usually a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs caused by one of several Swine Flu A virus. The commonest of which is AH1N1 subtype.
The present Swine Flu outbreak is mainly the AH1N1 subtype that is transmitted from human to human.
The signs & symptoms of swine flu include:
· High fever
· Cough
· Wheezing
· Sore throat, &
· Malaise
The Ministry of Health & Sanitation has put in place the following:
1. Some supply of antiviral- Tamiflu tablets for management of Flu
2. A Technical Task Force has been set up for emergency preparedness & response
3. District Hospitals & Health Management Teams have been alerted
4. Scaling up of surveillance activities for Swine Flu
Advice:
· With the above measures in place, the public is hereby advised not to panic, but to report any suspected case to the nearest hospital
· The public is also advised to do the following:
1. Wash hands frequently & thoroughly with soap & water
2. To avoid handshakes & hugging
3. Cover your mouth & nose when sneezing or coughing
THE PUBLIC WILL BE INFORMED ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
For further information, contact:
The Directorate of Disease Prevention & Control
Tel: 076-603297; Email: dpcsurveillance@gmail.com
