WHO says its over, Nepal reports 16 cases

[Ronan Kelly]

WHO says its over, Nepal reports 16 cases
Added At: 2010-08-11 11:23 PM
Last Updated At: 2010-08-12 11:23 PM
The Himalayan Times
Himalayan News Service


KATHMANDU: Though the World Health Organisation has announced that Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) was over, 16 new cases have been recorded in Nepal.

Following advice from top flu expert committee, WHO yesterday had claimed the end of swine flu.

Avian Influenza Control Programme under the Ministry of Health and Population recorded 16 swine flu cases between mid-June and mid-August. Two of the cases were from Illam, six from Biratnagar Jail and eight from Saptari Jail. Government officials said they were on high alert to combat the disease and had collected samples ? throat swab ? for laboratory tests from various parts of the country for investigation.

With the change in season, viral cases have dramatically increased, especially in the eastern and mid eastern districts including Ilam, Morang, Saptari, Dhankuta and some parts of the Kathmandu Valley, according to Ananda Kumar Shrestha, coordinator of AICP. ?We have kept the existing health facilities and human resources on high alert along with collection of throat swab samples for laboratory tests,? said Shrestha.

But he said there was no need to panic. ?There is ample stockpile of drugs and enough health facilities to serve in case the virus spreads rapidly,? added Shrestha.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fu...ts+over,+Nepal+reports+16+cases&NewsID=253286

 

[tetano]

Re: WHO says its over, Nepal reports 16 cases

Nepali gov't steps up A/H1N1 flu alert


KATHMANDU, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Nepali government officials have said that they are keeping the existing health facilities and human resources on high alert along with collection of throat swab samples for lab testing for further investigation into pandemic influenza A/H1N1 flu virus, local media reported on Thursday.

With changing season, viral cases have surged especially in the eastern and mid-eastern districts and from some parts of the capital Kathmandu Valley, according to Ananda Kumar Shrestha, Coordinator of Avian Influenza Control Program (AICP), under the Ministry of Health and Population.

"Still, there is no need to panic since viral cases are not severe," Shrestha was quoted by The Kathmandu Post as saying. " Moreover, there is adequate stockpile of drug and health facilities in case the virus spreads rapidly across the country."

According to Shrestha, besides the Rapid Response Teams set up in 75 districts, there are 39 specific sites set up specifically for the flu surveillance where the human resources deployed are ensuring personal hygiene measures such as keeping distance from the crowd, covering the mouth while sneezing, washing hands with soap at least two to three times a day, among others.

Shrestha said Nepal will receive 2.7 million doses of A/H1N1 flu vaccine from the World Health Organization (WHO) as a first shipment this September.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-08/12/c_13441649.htm