Stay H1N1 free!

WITH the first two cases of the H1N1 flu virus in Namibia having been confirmed on Monday, fear is rife about the possibilities of the spread of the infection commonly known as ‘swine flu’.

The flu was confirmed in a 13-year old boy in Rehoboth returning from a rugby tournament in South Africa, and in a 28 year-old woman who returned from Europe last week. The Ministry of Health has reported that both have received treatment, and those in contact with them have also received prophylactic treatment, with tests being conducted on some of them.Meanwhile, given the nature of which H1N1 has spread exponentially in countries where it has been confirmed, staying up to date on the symptoms, preventative measures, and global situation of the flu is critical.SYMPTOMSThe Centre for Disease Control (CDC) describes the symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people as similar to those of seasonal flu. These include fever (more than or equal to 38’C), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.The CDC also notes that in a large number of confirmed cases, the people infected also reported diarrhea and vomiting; with high-risk groups including people over the age of 65, children under the age of five, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV).PREVENT THE FLUVarious companies are in the process of manufacturing an H1N1 vaccine, but the availability of one is not anticipated for some months.In the meantime, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the best way to prevent the spread of H1N1 is to wash your hands with soap, under clean running water. In addition, the Namibian preparedness and response plan on H1N1 also advises ‘covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throwing the tissue in the trash after you use it’, ‘avoiding close contact with people sick from the virus’ and avoiding contact with people if you have been diagnosed with the flu.The WHO also makes it clear ‘that there is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products’.IF YOU’RE SICK…The Ministry of Health also advises that you seek immediate medical attention should you get sick, and depending on your symptoms, a healthcare provider will be able to determine whether or not flu testing or treatment is required. Through the efforts of the National Health Emergency Management Committee, the Ministry of Health has also stockpiled the antiviral drug, Tamiflu, which is being used globally for the treatment of H1N1, as well as swabs for laboratory testing on suspected cases of the flu.GLOBAL UPDATEThe World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday announced that the global death toll as a result of H1N1 has surpassed the 700 mark, with total confirmed cases standing in excess of 100 000 in over 130 countries. In fact, in many countries, while monitoring is still taking place, once people report the symptoms of H1N1, they are immediately treated instead of going through the lab confirmation process, given the speedy spread of the flu.In Africa, over 280 cases have been confirmed, with the first death in Africa having been reported in Egypt on Sunday. Over 127 confirmed cases have been reported in that country.In South Africa, where one of the confirmed Namibian cases picked up the flu, about 103 cases have been reported since the first case was reported on June 12.nangula@namibian.com.na