Uganda confirms more swine flu cases

Jul 13, 2009

TWO more Ugandans have tested positive for the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, also known as swine flu. This brings the number of confirmed cases in Uganda to five, all of which were returning from abroad.

By Anthony Bugembe

TWO more Ugandans have tested positive for the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, also known as swine flu. This brings the number of confirmed cases in Uganda to five, all of which were returning from abroad.

The latest cases are the husband and son of a businesswoman who was confirmed with the virus last week. The woman, who had just returned from the UK, lives in Mutungo near Kitintale, Kampala.

According to Sam Okware, the head of the national Influenza A taskforce, although the man and his son were not sick, they were treated with Tamiflu to stop them from infecting others. “We shall contain them at home until seven days, the maximum incubation period for the virus,” Okware said.

He cautioned patients to live in “separate rooms for at least seven days”. He also advised people who feel “feverish or show other suspicious symptoms to isolate themselves to prevent infecting other family members”.
Okware warned care-takers and members of families with patients to wash their hands with soap regularly, but more so after touching door handles and other surfaces.

The first Ugandan to be confirmed with the virus had travelled from London via Amsterdam. He developed the symptoms on arrival at Entebbe International Airport. He was isolated within Entebbe Grade B Hospital for treatment. His family members, who live in Nateete, another Kampala suburb, have also been given preventive treatment and are safe.

Another Ugandan man who arrived yesterday with suspicious symptoms has been confirmed negative and discharged from Entebbe Grade B Hospital. The man became the 16th Ugandan to be suspected of having the virus.

The disease is air-borne as a result of sneezing, coughing or through touching contaminated materials or surfaces.
The symptoms include sudden on-set of fever, sore throat, cough and flu, which occur about three to seven days after contact with an infected person.

It can be prevented by washing hands regularly with soap and plenty of water, and sneezing or coughing into a handkerchief or tissue.
Suspected cases can be reported on 0777793450, 0777793451 and 0777793452.

The flu first broke out in Mexico in April before spreading to the US and later across the globe. The World Health Organisation has declared the virus an epidemic. Nearly 100,000 people have been infected, 500 of whom have died of the virus globally.

In Africa, the virus has been confirmed in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Mauritius and Algeria.

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