tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
THE Ministry of Health has issued a public advisory regarding the re-emergence of swine flu in this country.
When the flu first entered the country in 2009, the ministry launched a massive public awareness campaign, warning persons who suspected they had the potentially fatal flu to seek immediate medical attention.
This time around, a low-key approach seems to have been adopted, as the ministry issued its advisory via email on March 29 and has yet to hold a press conference about the suspected outbreak.
?The Ministry of Health wishes to remind the national community that once a virus such as the Pandemic Influenza A / H1N1 2009 enters a national community it remains in circulation within the population.
However the public health sector has been prepared since February 2009 to deal with any cases that require medical attention at any public health facility,? the statement said.
Speaking to the media soon after, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Anton Cumberbatch said there are ?waves? of H1N1 outbreaks and the ministry has been prepared for this since 2009.
Cumberbatch said the swine flu strain people have gotten recently ?is the same H1N1, so once you had it, you won?t get it again.?
However, the public is being urged to practice good hygiene practices.
Namely to stay home for seven to ten days if they have flu-like symptoms, avoid hugging or shaking hands and keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth and nose.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,138152.html
When the flu first entered the country in 2009, the ministry launched a massive public awareness campaign, warning persons who suspected they had the potentially fatal flu to seek immediate medical attention.
This time around, a low-key approach seems to have been adopted, as the ministry issued its advisory via email on March 29 and has yet to hold a press conference about the suspected outbreak.
?The Ministry of Health wishes to remind the national community that once a virus such as the Pandemic Influenza A / H1N1 2009 enters a national community it remains in circulation within the population.
However the public health sector has been prepared since February 2009 to deal with any cases that require medical attention at any public health facility,? the statement said.
Speaking to the media soon after, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Anton Cumberbatch said there are ?waves? of H1N1 outbreaks and the ministry has been prepared for this since 2009.
Cumberbatch said the swine flu strain people have gotten recently ?is the same H1N1, so once you had it, you won?t get it again.?
However, the public is being urged to practice good hygiene practices.
Namely to stay home for seven to ten days if they have flu-like symptoms, avoid hugging or shaking hands and keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth and nose.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,138152.html