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With complete awareness:
Swine flu could be kept at bay!
by Ananda KANNANGARA
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Dr. Sudath Peiris |
Various doubts about the Novel Influenza A/HININ (Swine flu) were
cleared by the Senior Epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health,
Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Sudath Peiris in an interview with the Sunday
Observer.
| Although four confirmed
cases of Novel Influenza A/HINI (commonly known as Swine
Flu) have been detected in Sri Lanka, the Epidemiology Unit
of the Ministry of Health informs the general public that
they need not go into a panic over this development as 20
identified government hospitals countrywide are fully
stocked with necessary drugs. |
He said the disease was neither deadly nor dangerous, but everyone
must be on alert, as a possible outbreak of the disease is expected.
Excerpts:
Question: What is Swine Flu?
Answer: Swine Flu originated from a disease among pigs and the first
case was reported from Mexico this year, January 2009.
Thereafter, more cases were reported from nearly 77 countries all
over the world including England, Australia, Canada and America.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) reports about 37,000 cases
of Swine Flu have been detected so far.
Among them 183 persons have lost their lives.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Mild or high fever, cold, cough, pain in muscles and the spinal
cord, failure of the respiratory system, headache, and irritation in the
throat.
Q: Where was the first victim of Swine Flu reported in Sri Lanka?
A: An eight year old Sri Lankan boy was the first who arrived in Sri
Lanka with his parents last Tuesday from Australia to attend a wedding
ceremony here.
His sister too was detected while in transit in Singapore while on
her way to Colombo. She is currently being treated in a hospital in
Singapore.
Q: What news of the other passengers who had arrived along with them
on the same flight?
A: Out of 186 passengers who were on the same flight, only 91 had
filled the medical declaration forms. Investigations are on to see
whether the rest of the passengers are in the country has continued with
their journey.
Q: Are there any drugs to cure this new type of flu?
A: We have already identified 20 hospitals countrywide including the
Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) at Angoda which are fully geared to
the patients.
Q: Is Swine Flue dangerous?
A: Comparatively speaking dengue is actually dangerous, and the
public should not panic over Swine Flu, which is normal course will last
only three to four days.
Patients should keep in mind that proper medical advice should be
followed only from Government hospitals and not the private hospitals.
Q: In future how do you detect new patients with Swine Flue,
especially from overseas?
A: We have already instructed the health officials at the
Bandaranaike International Airport to do a thorough checkup of overseas
passengers, especially those who arrive from countries where large
number of Swine Flu cases have been reported. We have also installed
Thermal scanners at the Airport to make this program a success.
Q: In addition to Government hospitals, who are the other health
authorities who could be consulted?
A: Medical advice may be sought from MOH and PHI in their respective
areas. If necessary these officials will transfer serious to hospitals.
Q: What is the advice you could give to patients with Swine Flu to
prevent others from contacting the disease?
A: Avoid personal contact with outsiders; use a handkerchief when
coughing; not to offer the water bottles, cups, plates and clothes used
by patients to others; and to wear masks, covering mouth and nose.
Q: Any other advice for the general public?
A: Do not panic. Unlike dengue, this flu is not dangerous. But if
anyone has the symptoms, it is better to seek medical advice only from a
Government hospital and not private physicians.
The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health will closely monitor
the latest developments and will provide updates accordingly. |
