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Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200908270965.html
Mozambique: Another Case of Swine Flu Confirmed
27 August 2009
Maputo ? The Mozambican health authorities confirmed in Maputo on Wednesday a second case of swine flu, known as H1N1, from 26 suspects cases reported so far.
The patient is a 55 years old woman, and as in the first case also reported earlier this month, she had recently travelled to the neighbouring South Africa
'The two people have a record of travelling to the neighbouring South Africa. Both are residents in Maputo and often travel to South Africa,' said this Thursday, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry (MISAU), Leonardo Chavane.
According to Chavane, both patients are now feeling better and that they were not even admitted to hospital.
Of the 26 suspected cases reported so far, 21 samples were analyzed, of which two tested positive. The others are still waiting for lab results.
Among all suspected cases are two dentists from the Maputo Central Hospital Central (HCM), the largest health facility in the country.
The Mozambican health authorities believe that there are no reasons to panic, as long as people follow preventative measures.
To allay fears about the current outbreak, Chavane explained said that in some cases, swine flu could even be cured without the need of taking any medication.
"Our first recommendation is that if one is infected with flu or experiencing breathing difficulties, we advise the person to rest, drink a lot of water, avoid contact with others and to avoid coughing and talk close to other people while looking for a health centre for treatment, 'said Chavane.
The samples of suspects are sent to the National Laboratory of Immunology of HCM for laboratory analysis. For its turn, this lab sends the same samples to the neighbouring South Africa for confirmation.
Chavane said that, virtually all 30,000 units of the drugs against swine flu are still unused, that have been provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
He concluded saying that today the strategy against swine flu is not to tighten border surveillance and ask people where they come, but concentrate on awareness campaigns at the community level about the disease, as well as at the health centres to ensure treatment for infected patients.
Mozambique: Another Case of Swine Flu Confirmed
27 August 2009
Maputo ? The Mozambican health authorities confirmed in Maputo on Wednesday a second case of swine flu, known as H1N1, from 26 suspects cases reported so far.
The patient is a 55 years old woman, and as in the first case also reported earlier this month, she had recently travelled to the neighbouring South Africa
'The two people have a record of travelling to the neighbouring South Africa. Both are residents in Maputo and often travel to South Africa,' said this Thursday, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry (MISAU), Leonardo Chavane.
According to Chavane, both patients are now feeling better and that they were not even admitted to hospital.
Of the 26 suspected cases reported so far, 21 samples were analyzed, of which two tested positive. The others are still waiting for lab results.
Among all suspected cases are two dentists from the Maputo Central Hospital Central (HCM), the largest health facility in the country.
The Mozambican health authorities believe that there are no reasons to panic, as long as people follow preventative measures.
To allay fears about the current outbreak, Chavane explained said that in some cases, swine flu could even be cured without the need of taking any medication.
"Our first recommendation is that if one is infected with flu or experiencing breathing difficulties, we advise the person to rest, drink a lot of water, avoid contact with others and to avoid coughing and talk close to other people while looking for a health centre for treatment, 'said Chavane.
The samples of suspects are sent to the National Laboratory of Immunology of HCM for laboratory analysis. For its turn, this lab sends the same samples to the neighbouring South Africa for confirmation.
Chavane said that, virtually all 30,000 units of the drugs against swine flu are still unused, that have been provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
He concluded saying that today the strategy against swine flu is not to tighten border surveillance and ask people where they come, but concentrate on awareness campaigns at the community level about the disease, as well as at the health centres to ensure treatment for infected patients.