On Monday, April 27, 2009, the Ministry of Health held a press conference in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization to discuss the new epidemic that has torn through Mexico and is now present in the United States and Canada – Swine Flu.
According to the United States’ Center for Disease Control (CDC), “Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.” People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people. However, as of Monday, April 27, 2009, over 1000 individuals have been infected with the virus in Mexico and so far 80 deaths have been reported and 20 have been medically confirmed to be as a result of the virus. In the United States, 40 cases have been reported. These are in the States of California, San Antonio, Texas and New York City, but none of them have been severe.
At this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads from human to human but the virus is contagious and is contracted similarly to that seasonal influenza. It can be contracted by touching an infected individual; by touching an object that has the virus on it or by being in the radius of an infected individual’s sneeze. To keep from contracting the virus, persons must wash their hands, try to stay in good general health, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress levels, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. The virus can live outside a host for more than two hours. One should also avoid close contact with people who are sick. A person can transmit the virus a day before their symptoms appear; therefore, they can transmit the virus before they know that they are infected. Also, they can transmit the virus up to seven days after symptoms appear.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like the seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Present at the media briefing were Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, Dr. Peter Allen, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services, Epidimilogists Dr. Ethan Gough and Dr. Paul Edwards, PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. Beverly Barnette and Deputy Chief Education Officer, Allan Genitty. Hon. Pablo Marin informed the media that nurses have been deployed at the Northern Border to survey every individual crossing. He assured Belizeans that everything is being done to prepare for a possible epidemic in Belize and that various ministries are having technical meeting to prepare for any outbreak.
Dr. Pitts started by saying, “First and foremost, there is no reported case of Swine Flu in Belize.” He said that Belize has been preparing since the threat of SARS in 2003 and the Avian Flu in 2005 to handle a widespread epidemic. He said that on Monday alone, the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Education along with Customs and Immigrations have interacted to proact on the issue. Doctors Edwards and Gough emphasize the fact that we should not panic but we should be prepared. They said that the virus ranges from mild to severe. Dr. Edwards said, “It is important that if one develops flu like symptoms for them to report to the nearest health center immediately.” They said that most of the reported deaths in Mexico were because of late reports to health centers. On the other hand, individuals reported early in the United States and Canada and were treated as mild cases.
Over the upcoming days, the authorities will be receiving briefing from the World Health Organization on the Swine Flu via teleconferencing. They are also pleading to parents and teachers to reteach their children on the importance of hygene and how it can prevent diseases. There are medications available to effectively combat such diseases in Belize. However, these medications are not available over the counter and could only be administered at a health center. Dr. Barnette reassured the public that the World Health Organization has storage of medication for Belize already. This storage will be able to treat as much as 6,000 patients.
In the mean time, Belizeans are reminded to wash their hands constantly, get quality rest and stay informed. Dr. Pitts also advised the public to stay away from mass gatherings. One of Belize’s most festive mass gatherings is coming up this weekend- National Agriculture and Trade Show. “We have no reason to be concerned at the moment,” said Dr. Pitts, “but if a situation develops, we might recommend that the event be postponed.”
Again, no Swine Flu case has been reported in Belize, but we advise the public to keep informed of the situation.
