Namibia: H1N1 Confirmed - Hits Karas Region

[Ronan Kelly]

Namibia: Unidentified Virus Infection Hits Karas Region
Luqman Cloete
3 November 2010

A total of 90 people, most of them schoolchildren, have been treated at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital for a yet unidentified virus infection.

The patients complained of headaches, runny noses, sore throats, fever and coughing, according Keetmanshoop primary health supervisor Rauna Namukwambi.

Namukwambi said health officials had taken six samples to test whether it is the H1N1 flu virus, but only one of the results has been received and it was negative.

"We're still waiting for the outcome of the remaining samples," she said. Namukwambi said the affected people, of whom six were admitted to the hospital for one-day close observation, were given medical treatment according to their symptoms.

......

http://allafrica.com/stories/201011050199.html

[sharon sanders]

Re: Namibia: Unidentified Virus Infection Hits Karas Region

Sent to ProMed.

[alert]

Re: Namibia: Unidentified Virus Infection Hits Karas Region

I am not so sure H1N1 has been excluded based on a single negative test.

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=2400:1001:953567283240203::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,85667

Archive Number 20101105.4012
Published Date 05-NOV-2010
Subject PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed illness, schoolchildren - Namibia: (KA), RFI

UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS, SCHOOLCHILDREN - NAMIBIA: (KARAS), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
************************************************** *****************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Wed 3 Nov 2010
Source: The Namibian, relayed by allAfrica.com [edited]
<http://allafrica.com/stories/201011050199.html>


Unidentified Virus Infection Hits Karas Region in Namibia
---------------------------------------------------------
A total of 90 people, most of them schoolchildren, have been treated
at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital for a yet unidentified virus
infection. The patients complained of headaches, runny noses, sore
throats, fever and coughing, according to Keetmanshoop primary health
supervisor Rauna Namukwambi.

Namukwambi said health officials had taken 6 samples to test whether
it is H1N1 [influenza] virus infection, but only one of the results
has been received and it was negative. "We're still waiting for the
outcome of the remaining samples," she said. Namukwambi said the
affected people, of whom 6 were admitted to the hospital for one-day
close observation, were given medical treatment according to their symptoms.

She urged the public not to panic, adding that the situation is under
control. Namukwambi advised that people should take care of basic
hygiene such as washing hands to avoid any virus infection,

Similar cases were reported at Bethanie, Berseba and Aroab.
Namukwambi said health officials will visit all schools in and around
Keetmanshoop to treat ill children.

[Byline: Luqman Cloete]

--
Communicated by:
FluTrackers
<flutrackers@earthlink.net>

[This outbreak of undiagnosed illness among schoolchildren in the
Karas region of Namibia does not correspond to any of the infections
reported during the past year in Namibia (see the ProMED-mail see
also list, below). The illnesses are assumed to be virus infections
and appear to be relatively mild, short-lived and non-specific. Any
of a variety of childhood infections could be responsible. Influenza
virus infection has been suspected, but (the pandemic) H1N1-type
virus has been excluded. Further information is awaited.

[alert]

Re: Namibia: Unidentified Virus Infection Hits Karas Region - &quot;ordinary&quot; flu suspected

http://www.republikein.com.na/suiderland/griepvirus-maai-onder-keetmanshopers.116633.php

Afrikaans to English translation
5.11.2010
Influenza virus harvests under Keetmanshopers

The chief medical officer of health Keetmanshoop region, dr. Slava Verkusha. Concern among Keetmanshopers that the dreaded H1N1 virus more than 200 people in town went down, yesterday eliminated by a spokesman of the Ministry of Health and Social Services in town.

Drs. Slava Verkusha, chief medical officer of health Keetmanshoop District, confirmed that 213 people of whom 90 percent were scholars, by an ordinary flu virus has been drawn down.

The supervisor of primary health care at the hospital, Ms. Ruana Namukwambi, confirmed this and stated that most patients with flu-like symptoms showed up and include headache, high fever, sore throat and an annoying cough complained.

"We have all investigated and treated according to the symptoms that they have specified. Just a few of the patients in the hospital who our six samples taken for laboratory tests to determine whether it is H1N1. We hope the test results today to get, but we are almost sure that it is not H1N1, "she said.

The youngest patient with the symptoms, a girl of three years. A special monitoring unit in a ward in the hospital is equipped to treat all patients the symptoms.

The situation is even twice a day by the unit are monitored in order to keep abreast of cases reported.

Despite the high number of patients with flu-like symptoms dr. Verkusha said there had been no complications and therefore no cause for concern.

He did however confirm that it is unusual that so many people have the same symptoms so soon after each show. One possible reason is his view that temperature changes over the last time in this area.

The reason why so many of the patients were school children, according to him, because in larger groups with each other and their immune systems are not as strong as the adults are.

One school particularly hard hit with children because of the flu virus is absent, High Suiderlig. The principal, Mr. Deon Williams, told Republican said more than 100 children are in bed.

Dr. Verkusha one can act if not the virus do not simply good hygiene and to maintain and densely populated areas to try to avoid.

"Those who are infected are advised to have a hand or handkerchief to shut up when coughing or sneezing, or to obtain medical masks to wear. People should also get plenty of rest and make sure they garlic, lemon juice and take vitamins to their immune systems strengthen, "Dr. Verkusha said.
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[sharon sanders]

Re: Namibia: Unidentified Virus Infection Hits Karas Region

Sent to ProMed.

[alert]

Re: Namibia: Unidentified Virus Infection Hits Karas Region - Pandemic H1N1 confirmed

H1N1 confirmed. Please send to ProMED.

http://www.kudufm.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=161:h1n1-virus-outbreak-in-keetmanshoop&catid=42:national&Itemid=65

Five out of six blood tests sent in for testing came back positive with the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus in Keetmanshoop last week. Between Monday and Saturday some 1,300 people have shown the same flu symptoms, with a high concentration of those being scholars. According to doctor Jack Vries, chairman of the National Committee For Health Emergencies, only the Caprivi, Omaheke and Kavango regions remain unaffected by the flu outbreak. People showing symptoms, which include headache, high fever, a sore throat and persistent coughing should visit a clinic or their doctor for a check up. In spite of the high number of people infected, no deaths have been reported and there is no cause for panic. (Rp)

[sharon sanders]

Re: Namibia: Unidentified Virus Infection Hits Karas Region

Sent.

[tetano]

Re: Namibia: H1N1 Confirmed - Hits Karas Region

KEETMANSHOOP ? Primary healthcare supervisor at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital, Sister Rauna Namukwambi, says the outbreak of H1N1 at the town is only a mild strain of the virus, and is thus not deadly.

?There is no need for panic,? emphasised Namukwambi, who urged the public to take precautionary measures not to be exposed to the virus.

She said over the last week, there were people who presented signs of flu. Samples were taken from six people, and four tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

Since then, 1 500 people have reported to have flu-like symptoms ? like coughing, fever, headache, running nose ? with still more coming forward.

Only three people with severe cases have been hospitalised, but Namukwambi said they are ?doing well?.

Namukwambi said because H1N1 is likely to develop into a ?severe situation?, it has to be handled with extra caution.

People are being treated according to the symptoms they show.

To prevent contact with the virus, Namukwambi suggested that people avoid big crowds; that they cough into their elbow instead of their hands; that they practice basic hygiene such as regular hand washing; and that they get enough rest when they develop flu-like symptoms.

?This virus is in the air and people must take care,? Namukwambi stressed.

http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=13977

[alert]

Re: Namibia: H1N1 Confirmed - Hits Karas Region

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=2400:1001:2544610016464135::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,85739

INFLUENZA (12): NAMIBIA (KARAS)
*******************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Tue 9 Nov 2010
Source: Kudu FM [edited]
<http://www.kudufm.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=161:h 1n1-virus-outbreak-in-keetmanshoop&catid=42:national&Itemid=65>


H1N1 virus outbreak in Keetmanshoop
-----------------------------------
Of 6 blood tests sent in for testing 5 came back positive for the H1N1
swine flu virus [that is, pandemic 2009 influenza A/(H1N1) virus] in
Keetmanshoop last week [week of 2 Nov 2010]. Between Mon 1 Nov and Sat 6
Nov 2010 some 1300 people have shown the same flu symptoms, with a [large
proportion] of those being schoolchildren. According to Dr Jack Vries,
chairman of the National Committee For Health Emergencies, only the
Caprivi, Omaheke, and Kavango regions remain unaffected by the flu
outbreak. People showing symptoms, which include headache, high fever, a
sore throat, and persistent coughing should visit a clinic or their doctor
for a check up. In spite of the high number of people infected, no deaths
have been reported and there is no cause for panic.

--
communicated by:
FluTrackers
<flutrackers@earthlink.net>

[Previously on 3 Nov 2010 (see ProMED-mail Undiagnosed illness,
schoolchildren - Namibia: (KA), RFI 20101105.4012) it was reported that
this outbreak of febrile illness affected about 90 people, most of whom
were schoolchildren. One of 6 diagnostic samples had tested negative for
influenza A/(H1N1) virus. It now transpires that the other 5 pending
samples have tested positive for influenza A/(H1N1) virus, and about 1300
people have now contracted this infection. Fortunately, as elsewhere, the
2009 pandemic (H1N1) virus is causing relatively mild disease.

The map at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NamibiaDetailFinal.jpg> shows
the location of Keetmanshoop in the southern Karas region of Namibia. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Namibia can be accessed at
<http://healthmap.org/r/0frH>. - Mod.CP]

[see also:
Undiagnosed illness, schoolchildren - Namibia: (KA), RFI 20101105.4012
Influenza (11): site 222 mutations & outcomes 20101028.3917
Influenza (10): D222G & severity 20101026.3881
Influenza (07): USA & worldwide 20101007.3643]

.................cp/mj/sh

[tetano]

Re: Namibia: H1N1 Confirmed - Hits Karas Region

Nearly 1,000 school children were feared to have swine flu or A H1N1 influenza in Namibia, the health ministry said Wednesday.



"A total of 970 learners from two schools, one in the capital Windhoek and one in north-central Namibia had been seen having symptoms of flu-like illness," Health Minister Richard Kamwi told parliament.



"Swabs were taken and 31 random samples sent to a laboratory and 29 were positive of AH1N1 and two were negative. In this regard we can conclude that all those who had the symptoms are assumed to be H1N1 positive," Kamwi added.



Health authorities closed a special school in Windhoek for visually impaired children at the start of the week as over 60 children went down with flu symptoms.



"All school children were isolated and have responded very well to treatment and are recovering," said Kamwi.



Namibia had fewer than a hundred H1N1 cases in 2009 and only one death from the flu.

http://www.meattradenewsdaily.co.uk/news/101110/namibia___more_on_the_swine_flu_outbreak_.aspx