Swine flu: Pigs safe, say health officials

Jul 04, 2009

HEALTH experts are monitoring a family in Munyonyo, a Kampala suburb, visited by a British businessman suffering from Inluenza A (H1N1) virus, commonly called swine flu. The businessman, who came to Uganda last week, was on Wednesday confirmed as the fir

By Anthony Bugembe

HEALTH experts are monitoring a family in Munyonyo, a Kampala suburb, visited by a British businessman suffering from Inluenza A (H1N1) virus, commonly called swine flu. The businessman, who came to Uganda last week, was on Wednesday confirmed as the first case in Uganda.

“The family is under surveillance but we do not want to stigmatise them by revealing their identity. Fortunately, none of the family members has shown symptoms of the disease,” said Paul Kaggwa, the assistant commissioner for health education and promotion.

Kaggwa said the British patient is progressing well at the isolation centre in Entebbe. “All the symptoms have disappeared. Our specialist is going to assess him to decide his fate.”

He also advised people who develop related symptoms, especially those who have been abroad recently, to keep away from work, school, crowds and report to the nearest health facility or call 0777793450, 0777793451 and 0777793452.

“They should also rest and take fluids in plenty, in addition, to covering the noses and mouth with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing,” he advised.
Dr. Jacinto Amandua, the acting director general of health services, said the British patient could be discharged within three to four days. The maximum period for symptoms to show is seven days.

The 40-year-old British businessman arrived at Entebbe from London, via Nairobi, last Friday, with no symptoms. When he developed the signs later on, he sought medical attention and was confirmed with Influenza A (H1N1) on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, health officials have assured pork eaters that they should not worry about contracting the virus.

“People are free to eat well prepared pork. There is no proof that pigs spread the virus,” advised Sam Okware, the head of the national Influenza A Task force.

The H1N1 virus is transmitted through air by sneezing, coughing or touching contaminated materials or surfaces. Its symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, cough and flu-like symptoms occurring between one to seven days after contact with an infected person.

“Contact with pigs has not yet been identified as a method of transmission during the current outbreak of the virus. However, human-to-human spread has been documented and is thought to occur through coughing or sneezing of infected people,” said Yoti Zabulon, a disease control officer at World Health Organisation (WHO) Uganda office.

Influenza A broke out in Mexico in April, before spreading to other countries. Initially, health experts globally suspected it was transmitted by pigs, hence the name swine flu. When this was proved wrong, the name was changed to Influenza A (H1N1).

A total of 79,339 laboratory confirmed cases, including 337 deaths, have so far been reported in 122 countries. African countries with confirmed cases are Uganda , Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Mauritius and Algeria .

Last month, WHO gave Uganda’s health ministry 40,040 doses of Tami flu antiviral drugs and 25 pairs of personal protective equipment. Isolation camps were set up at Entebbe and Mulago hospitals.

WHAT TO DO
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • Throw the tissue in the trash after use

  • Avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.

  • Stay at least an arm’s length from persons coughing or sneezing

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze

  • Stay in good general health

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way

  • If one gets sick, stay at home, away from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

  • Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, man age your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food

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