Tanzania:
District closes all schools as swine flu spread
2009-12-01 07:04:00
By Frederick Katulanda, Mwanza
http://thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=15947
The Government has closed down all 150 primary schools and 27 secondary schools in Kwimba district, Mwanza region, to prevent a further spread of swine flu. This was after 221 residents tested positive for the scourge.
Kwimba District Commissioner Ryoba Kangoye, told the visiting Mwanza Regional Commissioner Abbas Kandoro, who was on a tour of the most affected Ilula Primary School yesterday, that the closure of schools follows tests indicating that some 120 pupils have been infected with the H1N1, the virus that causes swine flu.
Mr Kangoye said authorities resolved to close down all the district’s 25 ward schools as a preemptive measure, due to the concern that the learning institutions might easily end up being breeding sites for the virus.
Form 1 and 6 students, however, would not be affected by the order, he said, though he could not immediately give their number.
“We have not quarantined the entire district yet, for such a move would grind to a halt various socio-economic activities,” he said, adding that authorities were, however, determined to ensure the pandemic is eradicated in the district.
More people suspected to have contracted swine flu were tested at a makeshift health facility at Ilula village in Kwimba district, the Mwanza regional medical officer, Dr Meshack Massi, said yesterday.
The doctor revealed that of the 221 swine flu patients, 30 had signs indicating that they have contracted the new strain of influenza ‘A’ virus subtype H1N1 that was first detected in March this year in Veracruz, Mexico.
The number of cases in Kwimba increased after 79 new patients reported at the health facility, he said, adding that samples of 60 cases have already been sent to the National Institute Medical Research (NIMR) in Dar es Salaam for further examination.
Samples of 142 patients, including 120 primary school pupils and 22 villagers, scrutinised about a fortnight ago, tested positive.
“Only 30 out of the 41 patients admitted to the health facility are still receiving treatment there,” he said, emphasising that the admitted patients were only those who were in critical condition. He added:
“The remaining patients have symptoms of the disease, but their condition is not serious; we check them up regularly and give them the necessary medication before advising them to go home,” he explained.
Meanwhile, RC Kandoro visited the swine flu patients at the villages before addressing public rallies in which he urged the villagers to adhere to advice given by the medical personnel.
When he addressed Ilula and Mwanangwa villagers that border the ill-fated primary Ilula primary school, the RC said the disease could easily be eradicated if every one adhered to rules of hygiene, including washing hands and closing their mouths and noses with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing.
“Should we fail to abide by such simple rules, the virus will be remain here for ever, as we will be infecting each other,” he cautioned.
Speaking during the same rallies, DC Kangoye announced a ban on public gatherings in Kwimba district, including those meant for cattle auctioning, pointing out that large groups of people would fuel the pandemic.
Swine flu first broke out in Veracruz, Mexico, where evidence indicated that there had been an ongoing epidemic for months before it was officially recognised.
Despite the Mexican government’s efforts to close down most of Mexico City’s public and private facilities in an attempt to contain the virus, it still spread globally.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the swine flu outbreak a pandemic in June this year and statistics indicate that 7,909 deaths were been confirmed worldwide by Wednesday.
Similar to other influenza viruses, H1N1 is typically transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets. Symptoms usually last between four and six days.
While only mild symptoms are experienced by a majority of the victims, some cases can be severe. The symptoms may include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Asthmatics, diabetics and those with obesity, heart disease, the immunocompromised, children with neurodevelopmental conditions and pregnant women are at a higher risk.
It is recommended that those with symptoms stay home, away from school, work, and crowded places to avoid spreading the infection.
Rocker poulsen collapses onstage
30 November 2009 @ 10:57 pm BST
Danish rocker MICHAEL POULSEN is recovering after collapsing onstage at a concert in the Netherlands.
Fans looked on in horror as the Volbeat frontman fell midway through the band’s performance in Tilburg on Sunday (29Nov09).
Poulsen was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors reprimanded him for attempting to play through a nasty bout of influenza.
The singer reveals, “I’m on my feet again, and I’m doing fine. I got really sick when the tour started, (expletive)/puking all over the place, muscle ache and high fever, and couldn’t really eat anything without feeling bad. But that had happened so many times before, and nothing was going stop me doing what I love the most - being on stage.
“Ten minutes before stage time, I felt really bad and dizzy, and my whole body was really heavy, and I felt weak and I had chest pain while breathing.
“I only remember playing the first two songs. Every time I was trying to breathe, I felt dizzy. I couldn’t do my vocals well or move well since the energy was simply not there. It ended with a collapse, and I was rushed to the nearest hospital. The doctors said that it was crazy to play the shows while I was sick. All the tests they did at the hospital was fine, and everything looked good. Actually I’m in really good shape and my heart and blood is fine.”
Volbeat are due back onstage in the U.S. on 5 December (09) where they’ll support metal icons Metallica.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/contents/20091130/rocker-poulsen-collapses-onstage.htm