The Philippines closed down the lower house of Congress for
five days and sent workers home after the outbreak of the flu.
The swine flu has been
reported in India, Qatar, Oman, Laos, Papua New Guinea and South Africa
recently.
Fourteen cases
are reported in Qatar. All the infected people have been stable and
improved. Twelve of the cases have completed their quarantine period and
recovered. An American ten year old boy who came from USA, eight year old
Jordanian girl came from Canada, two Indian boys (ten months, two year
old) who had close contacts with Australian infected boys who came from
Melbourne, are the recent H1N1 cases of Qatar.
Couple in
Chennai who came from Canada is the recent case of H1N1 in India. Mother
and daughter in Bangalore who came from
New York were H1N1 positive
and now almost recovered, according to health authorities. Two air
passengers from Dubai and America are also under
observation in isolated wards in Kozhikode, Kerala. Sixty
four cases of H1N1 have been clinically reported in India according to
World Health Organization. Three cases are reported in Oman and Health
Ministry is monitoring the developments.
Vaccinating
children aged six months to 18 years may be the best way of using limited
supplies to control the pandemic according to a study by Britain’s Warwick University.
Schools are the epic centers of all kinds of flu including H1N1.Children
are the most risky group for contracting the disease.
Many countries
are organizing campaigns, medical camps, targeting children and their
parents against the spread of H1N1 virus. WHO Director-General Dr Margaret
Chan had said at the initial outbreak beginning of the flu, "the world is
watching it unfold in real time and much of humanity is taking part in a
real-time experiment."
Symptoms
Qatar
Communicable Disease Control Section has released information on swine
flu.
Influenza-like-illness (ILI) is defined as fever (temperature of 100°F
[37.8°C] or greater) and a cough and/or a sore throat in the absence of a
KNOWN cause other than influenza.
A confirmed case
of novel flu A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an
influenza-like illness with laboratory confirmed novel influenza A (H1N1)
virus infection by one or more tests like real-time RT-PCR and viral
culture.
Flu Infection is
caused by germs. Some germs can be breathed in. Others can enter through
the eyes, nose, or mouth. A cut or scrape can provide an opening for
germs. If you have germs on your hands and then touch your mouth, nose or
eyes, it is possible to infect yourself. Hand washing in short breaks is
highly recommended by health authorities to prevent the spread of virus.
Advice from
health experts
Suspected people
are advised to wear N95 mask and take rest. Big companies with
accommodation camp and mess hall for hundreds of employees have been
suggested to use disposable dishes that can be discarded. All utensils,
bedding and clothing in contact with the sick person should be handled
carefully as if the virus were on them. Clean items in the room with a 10%
bleach solution (made by combining 1 ounce of bleach with 9 ounces of
water) or other disinfectant. The health authorities suggest to clean
bathroom faucets and sink with 10% bleach or disinfectant wipes after the
sick person has used them.
Managing the
pandemic
Making sure the
person is drinking enough water and taking food as tolerated. The Health
Authorities advise using anti-pyretic (fever reducing) medications to
relieve fever such as Acetaminophen or non steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs.
The epidemic caused panic on
common men. Many exaggerated stories and non-confirmed reports are also
being spread along with officially declared information.
People,
suffering seasonal influenza who wears masks are noted by public with
skepticism. The screening at major airports against the flu also cause make
annoyance to passengers. Travelers having common flu are also worried
about the medical examination.
Meanwhile, Qatar
Health Ministry has cautioned people against using Tamiflu, an ante-viral
flu medicine without proper diagnosis. It is learnt that many residents,
planning tour to affected regions have purchased the vaccine from medical
shops. However, medical experts say Tami flu has been recommended
as prophylaxis (procedure whose purpose is to prevent rather than treat or
cure a disease).
Cases so far - Posted on July 08, 2009
