Posted on 06/24/2009 8:04:24 AM PDT by metmom
Houston-Area’s H1N1 Death Toll Now 10
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/health/swine_flu/091012_harris_county_h1n1_death_toll
12 Oct 2009 MENA EL-SHARKAWI
At least 10 Houston-area residents, including a baby and possibly a minor, have died because of swine flu, FOX 26 News has learned.
The death toll includes six residents of Harris County; two from Fort Bend County; one from Brazoria County and one from inside the Houston city limits.
Four of the Harris County deaths occurred between Sept. 28 and Oct. 9, said Rita Obey, a spokeswoman with the Harris County health department. The first two deaths were reported in late July.
Three of the victims were women; two of them were between the ages of 25 and 49, and the other between 50 and 64, Obey said.
The two men who died in late July were between the ages of 24 and 27, she said; a man who died Oct. 7 was older than 65.
Harris County’s death toll does not include the number of deaths reported inside in the Houston city limits, Obey said.
However, the city of Houston reported its H1N1 casualty last week when an autopsy report confirmed that swine flu was the primary cause of an inmate’s death. Harris County Jail inmate Kenneth Lane Beckett, 27, died on Sept. 25 after he was taken a few days earlier to Ben Taub General Hospital.
Fort Bend County Health Department Spokesman David Whamoe said someone between the ages of 10 and 18 died in May, and a child between 0 and 6 months died in September.
Brazoria County Health Department Director Dr. Leo Gorman said the state’s health department notified the county of a Brazoria County resident’s death, but no other details were provided.
Montgomery County Health Department officials did not have their numbers immediately available.
8 swine flu deaths reported in Harris County (Texas)
http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou091012_mh_swine-flu-harris-county.20d08ebe5.html
October 12, 2009
A total of eight people have died from the swine flu in Harris County.
The deaths include six adults from unincorporated areas of Harris County. Five of them were under age 65, but the health department will not release their exact ages or whether they had underlying medical conditions.
Two died in June, two in September and two in October, according to the Harris County Health Department.
The other two deaths were in the City of Houston: a toddler from Mexico City who was the first recorded swine flu death in the U.S.; and a Harris County jail inmate who died last month.
(( Patricia Sumner, Mother: “We begged him to go to a doctor. He said he couldn’t stop working, because of the four kids.” ))
Possible H1N1 Related Death in Clermont County
http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Possible-H1N1-Related-Death-in-Clermont-County/PI1FIYsJmUCsgqrCimN4FQ.cspx
By the time a 39 year-old Amelia man got to the emergency room, he was deathly ill with the flu-like symptoms he fought for a week. He didn’t survive the day. The death is now a possible H1N1 case.
Local 12’s Deborah Dixon talked with the family. The flu like symptoms started about a week ago.
Lawrence JT Sumner thought he had a bad cold that included a low grade fever, then the pressure in his chest made it hard to breathe.
Patricia Sumner, Mother: “We begged him to go to a doctor. He said he couldn’t stop working, because of the four kids.”
With four children, the uninsured subcontractor wanted to finish a job he was on, so he would get paid.
“When he got sick with a cold, he said he wouldn’t get a paycheck.”
By Friday, it was clear this was more than a cold. JT struggled to breathe as he was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital Clermont.
“He didn’t survive the day, got there at nine, by six thirty he was dead, he was that sick.”
The preliminary cause of death is pneumonia, possible H1N1. now there is a funeral to plan, for the patient giving hardworking man who always put family first.
“He’s gone and I’m going to miss him, but he will always still be with me.”
Ohio’s Health Department will do more tests to determine if H1N1 played a part.
DAILY FATALITY SUMMARY (Reports posted on October 12,2009)
UNITED STATES 9
Georgia 1
Indiana 2*
Kentucky 1
Maryland 1
Montana 1
Ohio 1*
Oregon 2*
CANADA 0
WORLDWIDE 6
China(Hong Kong) 1
Jordan 1*
South Korea 1
Venezuela 3
NOTES: The US total is 995 with 138 Pediatric cases included.Both Indiana cases are suspect together with one each from Ohio and Oregon.
Jordan has had it`s first fatality.
Boulder County reports third swine flu death (Colorado)
http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_13548303
10/12/2009
A third Boulder County resident has died from a case of the swine flu, providing more urgency as health officials encourage people to get vaccinated.
Doses of the H1N1 vaccine started arriving in the county last week.
“Our goal is for as many people to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” said Nisha Alden, Boulder County Public Health’s communicable disease division manager. “We want to get the most vulnerable people first.”
After receiving an initial batch of about 2,900 doses of the FluMist nasal spray vaccine last week, Boulder County is providing the vaccine this week to children ages 2 to 4 at its immunization clinics.
The health department also is distributing the vaccine to more than 90 Boulder County health care providers, who should have the vaccine by next week.
The most recent victim of the H1N1 flu was a 4-year-old boy who died Thursday. He became ill with flu-like symptoms in September and was later admitted to Children’s Hospital. He had mild underlying medical conditions.
The first Boulder County person to die after getting swine flu was a boy, whose age was between 10 and 17, on Sept. 15. That boy also had underlying health conditions that contributed to his death.
The second victim was a 40-year-old woman who died Sept. 28 at Longmont United Hospital and had “significant underlying health conditions.”
Alden said more than half of those hospitalized in Boulder County for swine flu have been younger than 18.
As of Oct. 3, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment had reported 11 swine flu deaths statewide.
The vaccine is now only available in the form of FluMist nasal spray. Injectable vaccines, which can be given to children from 6 months to 2 years along with the general population, are expected to arrive the week of Oct. 19.
Boulder County’s vaccine doses will be distributed to prioritized target groups. Health care providers are a top priority, along with children ages 6 months to 4 years, pregnant women, people who have household contact with children younger than 6 months, and children ages 5 to 18 with underlying health issues.
Next in line will be emergency medical services professionals, children ages 6 to 24 and non-elderly adults with underlying health problems.
Eventually, health department officials said, Boulder County plans to offer the swine flu vaccine at clinics in schools, at the University of Colorado and at the county’s Public Health offices in Boulder and Longmont.
Children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years can receive the vaccine at regularly scheduled Boulder County Public Health immunization clinics.
Venezuela’s Health Ministry confirms 89 deaths of AH1N1 virus
http://english.eluniversal.com/2009/10/12/en_pol_esp_venezuelas-health-m_12A2884851.shtml
Every day, the negative effects of the AH1N1 virus spread in Venezuela. According to the most recent update of the Ministry of Health, released on October 8, this illness has caused 89 deaths and has infected at least 1,711 people.
In just one week, the influenza A virus subtype H1N1 infected 71 people and caused the death of four others in the South American country. Two of them were reported on October 6, one on October 3 and the other on October 2.
The Minister of Health did not provide any information about them, whether they were healthy people or have debilitating diseases; whether they were pregnant, obese, or vulnerable population. The Ministry did not report either the area where they lived.
The regions with the highest number of cases are the most populated in the country, as usual in pandemics.
Oct 9, 2009
‘Anti-swine flu’ business suit
TOKYO - A JAPANESE menswear company has begun selling an ‘anti-swine flu’ business suit that it says can reduce the risk of catching the virus.
The wool suit is coated with titanium dioxide, which breaks down the virus molecules on contact under ultraviolet light, Haruyama Trading Co said.
The material, which can also reduce odours such as cigarette smoke, will keep its anti-virus properties even after being dry cleaned more than 20 times, the company said.
It will go on sale at 272 stores across Japan on Saturday, with a price tag of 52,290 yen (S$820), following its launch in Tokyo on Thursday, said company spokesman Ryugo Yamamoto.
Japanese people are known for being extremely hygiene-conscious, with thousands of people on the street wearing masks when the first Japanese victims tested positive for swine flu in May.
Students and even adult workers are instructed how to effectively wash their hands and gargle, while antibacterial goods ranging from men’s socks to a computer mouse are also popular. — AFP
For all of the obsessive 24/7 hand-washing and gargling, and not shaking of hands (that goes back thousands of years anyways), and wearing of surgical masks in public in this antiseptic, spotless little country, the last thing they need is those stupid suits IMHO. BUT, if somebody wants to make a yen, fine with me. A little pricey, though.
Pricey , I agree :)
820$ US , I wonder if it will sell well ?
Scotland:
Third of pupils off sick as swine flu sweeps city school
Date: 13 October 2009
By GEMMA FRASER
http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Third-of-pupils-off-sick.5727126.jp
SWINE flu has swept through one of Edinburgh’s top private schools, hitting more than a third of its pupils.
A total of 160 youngsters have contracted the H1N1 virus at Merchiston Castle School, while up to ten staff members have also fallen ill.
A whole year group of around 60 children had to be sent home at the end of last week because more than half had swine flu, while the school – which offers boarding facilities – has brought in extra nursing cover and more beds for the ill pupils.
Sporting and social events, including a harvest thanksgiving, have had to be cancelled. No-one has yet needed hospital treatment.
Merchiston Castle, an all boys school, described the virus as spreading like “wild fire”. However, they believe the school is coming through the worst of the outbreak, which started a week ago with just 12 pupils.
Nigel Rickard, deputy headmaster, said: “Presently we have about 60 pupils off school, both boarding and day pupils. We feel that things are improving.
“It was particularly bad last Thursday and Friday when we had to send one year group home as 50 per cent were affected.
“We have had to take on extra nursing cover and had to extend our health facilities within the school by providing more beds for the sick children.
“We have a medical centre in the school which is fully staffed by the fully qualified medical sisters and we have opened up an ancillary medical centre.
“Some boarding pupils have gone home, while others are being cared for in school. Generally we are keeping going but it’s not been an easy time.
“One or two have had it worse than others and the maximum time off school has been one week, but no-one has needed hospital treatment. We had 120 pupils off at the height.
“It’s highly contagious and despite the fact we have very strict health policies with cleaning hands, inevitably in close proximity in a school, it spreads around like wild fire and any school would find it difficult to contain.”
The virus has hit the older boys harder, with pupils aged between 13 and 15 being the most vulnerable.
Children displaying symptoms of sore throats and high temperatures have to be free of symptoms for 48 hours before returning to the school in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus.
Last week it emerged that a quarter of pupils at Linlithgow Academy have been off sick amid an outbreak of swine flu.
Around 300 children failed to make it in to lessons after the town was hit by the H1N1 virus.
West Lothian Council has written to all parents of pupils in the area to provide advice on dealing with flu-like symptoms.
However, fears of the arrival of the second wave of swine flu to the Lothians appear to have been eased in the past week.
The number of people reporting to their GP with flu-like symptoms has dropped, with only around 500 people attending last week.
Signs can point to kids’ flu turning fatal
By LINDSEY TANNER
Associated Press
Updated: 10/13/2009 01:32:13 AM PDT
http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_13549814?source=rss
CHICAGO — Max Gomez was a bright-eyed 5-year-old, happy to have just started kindergarten, when he developed sniffles and a fever. His mother figured it was only a cold.
Three days later, the Antioch, Tenn., boy was dead, apparently from swine flu.
At least 76 American children have died from the new virus, and doctors are urging parents to watch for warning signs that the flu has become life-threatening.
Ruth Gomez said Max developed dangerous symptoms — bluish fingers and extreme fatigue after seeming to get better — just one day before he died. She took him to the doctor, but it was too late.
“We were in shock,” Gomez said softly, still trying to wrap her mind around her little boy’s Aug. 31 death. “There are so many unanswered questions. What happened?”
It’s a question on other parents’ minds, too: How can they protect their kids from swine flu until the vaccine is widely available?
Swine flu has probably infected hundreds of thousands of youngsters nationwide, but deaths among children are rare. Health officials are keeping track of children’s flu deaths, but they say it’s impossible to count all flu cases. So they don’t know what percentage of children’s infections are fatal.
Many experts say the H1N1 virus does not appear to be more dangerous than other flu strains, but kids have been catching it more easily than seasonal flu.
Last week alone, there were 19 new reports of children who died, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the 76 swine flu fatalities since April compare with 68 pediatric deaths from seasonal flu since September 2008.
Because kids seem so vulnerable to it, “every medical epidemiologist in the country” is tracking how it affects them, said Dr. Susan Gerber, an associate medical officer for the public health department in Cook County, Ill.
Most children will recover, but “it’s still very concerning and needs to be watched very closely,” Gerber said.
Dr. Kenneth Alexander, the University of Chicago’s pediatric infectious disease chief, said there are common signs to indicate when both kinds of flu turn dangerous.
Flu viruses can damage cilia, the hair-like fibers lining the respiratory tract that move bacteria and mucous “where we can cough them out” of the lungs, he explained.
That can make people susceptible to pneumonia and other bacterial infections — a scenario blamed for many flu deaths in otherwise healthy children and adults, he said. In these cases, flu patients often appear to get better, but then fever and a cough return.
Authorities urge parents to seek immediate help if emergency warning signs develop. In children, these are:
· Fast or troubled breathing.
· Bluish skin color.
· Lack of thirst.
· Failure to wake up easily or interact.
· Irritability; the child does not want to be held.
· Improvement of symptoms, then a return to fever and worse cough.
· Fever with a rash.
Parents should also seek medical help if flu symptoms develop in children most vulnerable to flu complications: those younger than 5 or with high-risk conditions, including asthma and other lung problems; cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other neurological diseases; heart, kidney or liver problems; and diabetes.
A recent report from the CDC found that one-third of pediatric deaths from the new H1N1 virus were in children like Max, with no known underlying condition that would put them at risk. Health officials say kids should get vaccinations for both ordinary flu and swine flu when the vaccine is available, and stay home from school if they are sick. Parents should stress hand-washing and covering coughs.
Mild cases should be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids, but parents should call their doctor if more serious symptoms develop.
“We definitely don’t want to suggest to someone who has a very sick child that that child should be at home. But at the same time, we don’t want lots of children with mild illness showing up” in emergency rooms or doctors’ offices, keeping doctors from treating sicker patients, said Dr. Michael Landen, New Mexico’s deputy state epidemiologist.
He said it’s a tough message for health officials to explain, and is “very challenging for parents to get this right.”
Alexander, the Chicago doctor, said he always tells parents, “Trust your instincts.” Then, if it goes beyond the typical flu experience, seek help, he said.
In rare cases, swine flu symptoms turn from bad to worse so quickly that by the time of medical attention, it was too late. That can occur with seasonal flu, too, Landen said.
Ruth Gomez says that’s what happened with her son. Test results are still pending, and swine flu has not been ruled the official cause of death, but Gomez, who once worked as a medical assistant, says doctors found nothing else.
She plans to get swine flu shots for Max’s two younger sisters, and she said other parents need to be aware of the risks. “Our lives have been turned around,” she said. “Every day we miss him.”
Vanessa LaGrange of Albuquerque said she’s gotten the message. The recent deaths in her state mean she hopes to get all flu shots, including H1N1 vaccinations, for herself and her two children. She has skipped flu shots in the past because her family is generally pretty healthy.
LaGrange said she kept her 6-year-old daughter home from school one day last week with a cough and sore throat, and that even her little girl is concerned.
“She did ask me outright if she had the swine flu,” LaGrange said. She said her daughter has improved and probably did not have the flu.
In Atlanta, Kristen Chase sent her daughter off to kindergarten this year and is trying to avoid worrying, “but it’s hard not to.”
Even though swine flu hasn’t hit her school yet, Chase puts sanitized hand wipes in her little girl’s lunch box every day and tells her, “Wipe your hands off before you eat your lunch.”
If any of her three kids show signs of flu, Chase said she plans to “err on the side of caution” and call the doctor
WA:
Swine flu suspected in Umatilla County deaths
By Drew Foster, Herald staff writer
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/751936.html
PENDLETON — Swine flu is thought to have been a factor in the death of two Umatilla County residents.
The child and middle-aged adult died Friday. Umatilla County Health Department officials declined to release the residents’ names, ages or where they lived.
But Genni Lehnert, Umatilla County Health Department administrator, said both flu victims had “serious underlying health issues,” though she wouldn’t elaborate.
Laboratory tests haven’t confirmed the people were infected with H1N1.
“I would suspect that just because of the circulating viruses, I would be confident to say this was H1N1,” Lehnert said, adding that test results should be received “in a few days.”
No deaths so far have been attributed to swine flu in Benton or Franklin counties. Heather Hill, public health nurse with the Benton-Franklin Health District, said eight swine flu cases have been confirmed in Benton and Franklin counties, although most cases are not tested.
Eight swine flu cases, not including the two deaths, have been confirmed in Umatilla County, Lehnert said. She stopped short of saying there is a swine flu outbreak in Umatilla County, but said, “We are certainly seeing an increase in influenza.”
Only hospitalized patients and deaths are being counted as confirmed swine flu cases in Umatilla County. Washington is confirming cases in people who are pregnant, hospitalized or dead.
Apparent outbreaks of flu are cropping up around the region, with the small Paterson School District in southern Benton County deciding Monday to cancel classes today and Wednesday because of the flu. It’s the first area district to have to cancel classes, though some sporting events have been canceled because of flu.
Nearly a quarter of the Paterson district’s 102 students are sick, said Superintendent Peggy Douglas. So are several of the 25 full-time and part-time staff, including the custodian and four of 10 teachers, she said.
Douglas said several of the students who were in school Monday were showing flu symptoms. Canceling classes will give people time to recover and allow staff to thoroughly disinfect the counters, desks and classrooms, she said. Classes are expected to resume Thursday.
While seasonal flu vaccinations are being given in the area, no swine flu vaccine has arrived in the Tri-Cities yet.
“I hope to see (some) in the next 24 or 48 hours,” Hill said Monday.
But Umatilla County has received its first shipment of swine flu vaccine. Lehnert said the initial doses — mostly nasal — will be sent to hospitals, pediatricians and other health care providers.
When the vaccine arrives in the Tri-Cities, Hill said it also will go to hospitals and health care providers first.
Mass public swine flu vaccinations are scheduled to begin in Umatilla County on Nov. 21 in Hermiston. No mass public vaccinations have been scheduled by the Benton-Franklin Health District because, “We can’t predict when the vaccine will arrive,” Hill said.
Both Hill and Lehnert emphasized that health care and emergency service workers, people ages 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women and people ages 25 to 64 who have chronic health issues will be vaccinated first.
— Reporter Sara Schilling contributed to this report.
— Drew Foster: 585-7207; dfoster@tricityherald.com
Swine Flu Claims 31st Victim in Israel
Reported: 10:13 AM - Oct/13/09
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/172458
(IsraelNN.com) A 69-year-old man died at Sha’arei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem Tuesday after being diagnosed on Sunday as having the H1N1 swine-flu virus.
While the man suffered from other illnesses, the Health Ministry said it could not discount the role of the virus in his death, so he is being counted as the 31st death from H1N1 in Israel.
Ohio:
Swine flu prompts OSU hospitals to ban child visitors
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:07 AM
By Mark Somerson
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/10/13/metro_briefs_1013_ART_10-13-09_B3_QGFBV9F.html?sid=101
In response to the growing number of H1N1 cases in central Ohio, Ohio State University Medical Center announced yesterday that it will not allow visitors younger than 13.
Visitors 13 to 18 years old must be symptom-free and part of a patient’s immediate family.
The restrictions are for visitors to University Hospital, the James Cancer Hospital, Ross Heart Hospital, Dodd Hall, OSU/Harding and University Hospital East.
Last week, Nationwide Children’s Hospital announced that it is limiting visitors to immediate family members who are 12 or older.
Study provides clue to surviving Swine Flu
13 Oct 2009
HEALTH - Blood oxygenation appears to be the key to surviving swine flu for patients suffering respiratory failure, new research shows.
The observational study, carried out by New Zealand and Australian flu investigators between June 1 and August 31 this year, showed most patients who experienced respiratory failure after contracting swine flu survived if they were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a type of life support that adds oxygen to the blood.
The study focused on 68 patients with severe swine flu associated acute respiratory distress, who received ECMO in 15 intensive care units across New Zealand and Australia.
“We looked at a number of factors associated with patients receiving ECMO, such as the incidence, degree of lung dysfunction, clinical features, technical characteristics, duration, complications, and survival,” Auckland City Hospital’s cardiothoracic intensive care specialist Shay McGuinness said.
“By doing this we have established the importance of ECMO as a treatment option for patients with severe influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) associated acute respiratory distress.
“Despite the severity of their illness and the lengthy period of time on ECMO life-support most of these patients survived.”
Dr McGuinness said 54 of the 68 patients had survived and 14 had died. Six were still being treated in intensive care units.
“These findings are important to our colleagues all over the world and should be used to facilitate health care planning and clinical management for these complex patients during the ongoing pandemic,” Dr McGuinness said.
The study was due to be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on November 4, but will be published early online because of the importance of its findings for public health.
NZPA
Link is http://www.nznewsuk.co.uk/news/?id=3963
Egypt Says Developing Own H1N1 Flu Vaccine For 2011
Published: Oct 13, 2009
by Edmund Blair
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/health/article_212261511.shtml?ref=rss
Egypt is developing its own vaccine against H1N1 swine flu for production in 2011 and, in the meantime, will import vaccines to inoculate school children and key public workers, the health minister said.
Experts fear a flu pandemic could have a devastating impact on Egypt, a country of 77 million people who mostly live in the densely packed Nile Valley. Many are in Cairo’s crowded slums.
Egypt, already hard hit by the more deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, has found about 1,030 cases of H1N1 flu, widely known as swine flu, and three people have died from the virus, Health Minister Hatem el-Gabali said late on Sunday.
“We have a plan to produce the first batch (of Egypt’s H1N1 flu vaccine) by April 2011,” Gabali said, speaking after a talk about healthcare reform.
A 35-strong team of experts had been assembled from around Egypt to develop the vaccine, the minister told Reuters.
“We are working now in the lab,” he said. “They (the team) were people working in independent institutions, around Egypt. They have trained overseas but they have not worked together as a team. They have the skills to develop the vaccine.”
“The production (of) the first batch will be about 6,000 units and it will be tested for efficacy around the second quarter of 2011,” he said.
Output from the factory, to be built in Sixth of October City on the outskirts of Cairo, would meet demand in Egypt but could also supply other countries in Africa, he said.
Protect your staff from swine flu – or risk being sued
Posted by Gary Tait in Employment law on Tue, 13/10/2009 - 14:37
It’s the job of every employer to provide a safe working environment
If an employee believed their employer had failed to take appropriate measures to protect them from swine flu (HCN1), they could bring a personal injury claim
Have clear contingency plans for staff absence, continue to raise awareness of the importance of respiratory etiquette and review relevant policies such as sickness, absence and dependant leave policies
Being sued by an employee is a nightmare scenario for an HR team, but one which could possibly come true if Britain is hit by a swine flu pandemic this winter. Health and safety legislation could be used by employees who fear they have been exposed to the virus at work; and a win could cost your company several thousand pounds in damages – plus the negative attention surrounding a high profile and unusual court case.
Of course, it’s the job of every employer to provide a safe working environment. That’s what health and safety laws require. And it’s right for the HR team to pay its part in protecting the company. So let’s look at how employees would be able to sue, and what you can do to protect your company.
At a very basic level, if an employee believed their employer had failed to take appropriate measures to protect them, they could bring a personal injury claim. The employee would have to show that they would not have contracted the disease but for the employer’s failure to protect their staff against it.
To read the rest of the article you’ll need to log in below
Link is http://www.hrzone.co.uk/topic/employment-law/protect-your-staff-swine-flu-or-risk-being-sued
Rwanda: Two More Cases of Swine Flu Confirmed
Irene V. Nambi
12 October 2009
http://allafrica.com/stories/200910130089.html
Kigali — Two new cases of the Influenza A, H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, have been confirmed in a catholic primary school only identified as Sainte Marie in Kiyovu.
This brings the country’s total cases to six after the original four cases that were reported on Saturday.
According to the Director of the Epidemic Infectious Disease Unit in TRAC Plus, Dr. Jackson Sebeza, the pupils contracted the virus from one of the children of the already infected family.
“The Ministry of Health is set to hold talks with the Ministry of Education in a bid to come up with a firm solution that will curb transmission of this influenza,” Sebeza told The New Times.
The acting Chief Executive Officer of King Faisal Hospital where the first four cases were referred, Dr. Juliet Mbabazi, said that so far the patients’ health is progressing and everything possible is being done to ensure quick recovery.
“We have isolated the patients and so far we are treating them at home. It is easier to curb transmission levels if people are treated at home because once admitted to hospital, it is possible infect other patients that may already be in severe condition with other diseases.
“They are on Tamiflu doses and their condition is improving. The good news is that they are not dehydrated and symptoms are reducing,” Mbabazi explained.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the virus was brought by a traveler who was returning home from the United States of America. Her family is infected as well as a staff member of King Faisal Hospital.
The Director General of TRAC Plus, Prof. Michael Kramer, recently advised that it is imperative for the public to be more vigilant, report suspected cases to health facilities and practice preventative measures such as covering the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing.
“All contacts with these confirmed cases, including their family members and contacts are being traced and checked for symptoms of flu like illness. All contacts with symptoms will be tested for H1N1 and appropriately treated,” the statement says.
The World Health Organization provided the country with 14,000 doses of Tamiflu.
Officials also add that an emergency working group composed of TRAC Plus, National Reference Laboratory, Rwanda Health Communication Center, referral hospitals and partners have started working immediately to contain the situation.
Since the confirmation of the outbreak of flu in Mexico in April this year, the disease has spread to all continents.
Rwanda: Swine Flu Toll Hits 14
Irene V. Nambi
13 October 2009
http://allafrica.com/stories/200910130068.html
Kigali — Four days after the confirmation of the Influenza A H1N1 in the country, laboratory cases have risen to 14.
This was announced by the Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Sezibera in a press conference that was held yesterday evening in Kigali.
While addressing members of the media, the minister noted that the new cases are people who had directly been in contact with the first confirmed cases in a family.
“Of those confirmed, five are staff members of King Faisal Hospital; six are members of the initially infected family while three are pupils of Marie Auxiliatrice Private School here in Kigali. The confirmed cases are being treated aggressively and they are all doing well.
“None are hospitalized for now as they are being treated at home.The school has also been temporarily closed until we identify all the possible cases and trace individuals who might have been in contact with them,” Sezibera explained.
Despite the increased number of cases, the minister noted that it is a mild disease that should not cause alarm. He however urged Rwandans to adopt a greater sense of personal hygiene as regards prevention.
“We kindly request all people with flu like symptoms to stay at home until this episode passes. For those with severe symptoms, it is imperative to visit the nearest health care facility for thorough check up,” he added.
In relation to preparedness, Sezibera underscored that the response group continues to be active as regards monitoring the situation and improvement of the emergency preparedness is also underway.
Health experts at the conference also emphasized that it is vital to avoid unnecessary behavior that may lead to transmission of the virus such as shaking hands, kissing and hugging - which are common behaviors in the Rwandan culture.
“It is easier to acquire the virus once someone gets closer than one metre to an infected person.
Other ways also include coughing and sneezing as the droplets can easily reach another. It is easy for someone to touch their nose or mouth and transmit the virus through shaking hands.
“As regards prevention, behavioral change is necessary and washing hands promptly should be an emphasized practice,” the Director General of TRAC Plus, Prof. Michael Kramer said.
According to Sezibera, extraordinary measures have been planned already - should a severe outbreak occur. Apparently there are sufficient doses of the swine flu anti-viral that can treat over 14,000 people.
The public is also advised to limit visits to people with flu-like symptoms and to utilize the available toll free hotlines 3334 and 3335 for more information.
Head at flu-hit school says no need to worry
Billie Calland
Published Date:
13 October 2009
By Zara Gaspar
Rushden reporter
A headteacher has reassured parents after six cases of swine flu were confirmed at a school in Rushden.
Following rumours that there were 20 cases of swine flu at Whitefriars Junior School, it has been confirmed there have only been six.
Headteacher Helen Woodhouse is urging parents not to worry.
She said: “We are following the Northamptonshire County Council guidelines and dealing with it as we would any sort of illness – by making sure we take extra care.”
As with any other illness, the school has a number of measures in place to ensure the well-being of its pupils.
Staff are making sure the children know to wash their hands more often and bin their tissues immediately after use.
Tables and door handles are being wiped down regularly.
Mrs Woodhouse is urging parents not to take their children out of school unnecessarily.
She said: “While we always do everything we can to ensure our students are well looked after, it is also hugely important to their education that they are not kept out of school unnecessarily and that disruption is kept to a minimum.”
Billie Calland, who has a son at the school, said: “As a parent I am aware of swine flu but I have absolutely no worries and completely trust the school, which I believe has the children’s best interests at heart.
“I know how the children are cared for at the school and they are in excellent hands.”
The school’s news comes after the number of potential swine flu cases rose by 50 per cent last week.
NHS Northamptonshire reported an increase in the number of flu-like illnesses in the county from 21 per 100,000 people to 31 per 100,000.
This is slightly higher than the national average.
Between October 1 and 7, 796 antivirals were issued in the county.
From September 21 to October 7, 521 potential swine flu cases were reported to the county council by schools.
A Northamptonshire County Council spokesman said: “We are monitoring the situation closely.
“We have set up a new electronic reporting mechanism so schools can upload their details and new cases on a web-based system, enabling us to accurately monitor any trends.”
Link ishttp://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Head-at-fluhit-school-says.5726343.jp
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