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First suspected swine flu case
MONDAY, 15 JUNE 2009
JUST three days after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the swine flu outbreak had become a pandemic, Solomon Islands reported its first suspected case last Saturday.
Although the patient showed suspected swine flu symptoms, the National Referral Hospital authority is yet to confirm the case.
The male patients in his mid 30, who recently returned from Australia, was found to be suffering visible symptoms for swine flu.
Some of the symptoms include cough, cold and high fever.
Hospital sources said mandatory tests have been carried out and blood sample sent overseas for further tests to confirm the H1N1 pandemic.
The patient is now quarantine at the hospital awaiting results.
According to WHO, swine flu has reached 74 countries globally, which signal to countries to step up their efforts to deal with the disease.
It also means that the health organization is asking drug makers to start making vaccine as quickly as possible.
WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan last week said while the disease has been mild so far, it "could change at any time and become more severe."
She said t may also prove more deadly when it reaches poor countries with higher rates of malnutrition, AIDS and other diseases that can lower people's resistance to infection.
Dr Chan said rich countries should help poor ones less able to protect themselves.
But the onus to prevent this illness is on individuals and families and communities.
We must not be panic but practice simple hygiene practices such as washing hands before eating and so forth.
MONDAY, 15 JUNE 2009
JUST three days after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the swine flu outbreak had become a pandemic, Solomon Islands reported its first suspected case last Saturday.
Although the patient showed suspected swine flu symptoms, the National Referral Hospital authority is yet to confirm the case.
The male patients in his mid 30, who recently returned from Australia, was found to be suffering visible symptoms for swine flu.
Some of the symptoms include cough, cold and high fever.
Hospital sources said mandatory tests have been carried out and blood sample sent overseas for further tests to confirm the H1N1 pandemic.
The patient is now quarantine at the hospital awaiting results.
According to WHO, swine flu has reached 74 countries globally, which signal to countries to step up their efforts to deal with the disease.
It also means that the health organization is asking drug makers to start making vaccine as quickly as possible.
WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan last week said while the disease has been mild so far, it "could change at any time and become more severe."
She said t may also prove more deadly when it reaches poor countries with higher rates of malnutrition, AIDS and other diseases that can lower people's resistance to infection.
Dr Chan said rich countries should help poor ones less able to protect themselves.
But the onus to prevent this illness is on individuals and families and communities.
We must not be panic but practice simple hygiene practices such as washing hands before eating and so forth.
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