Concord Times (Freetown)
Ben Samuel Turay
2 July 2009
Freetown — Directorate of disease prevention and control (DPC) in the ministry of health and sanitation has concluded a one-day sensitization workshop on the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, targeting airport and immigration officers and ports health staff.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony held at the conference hall of the maternal and child health programme in Freetown, manager of the national disease surveillance unit, Dr. Alie Hafsa Wurie described the Influenza A (H1N1) as an infectious disease caused by a virus that affects the respiratory system.
He said the symptoms range from high fever, cough or sore throat, runny nose, body ache, headache, chills to tiredness, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea, adding that everyone is at risk.
Dr. Wurie said the health ministry has step up action on awareness raising as well as emergency preparedness measures with support form WHO and other partners.
He encouraged individuals and communities to get more information from the media and the disease prevention and control directorate at New England in Freetown.
Officer-in-charge of inside investigation at the Immigration department, James Cooper underscored the importance of a nationwide sensitization, adding that one of the major functions of his department is to ensure the safety and security of the nation through border protection by managing all entry points and monitor the movement of people.
He described their role as critical in enhancing national security and the integrity of its legal order, noting that they are the first point of contact between the security and the public safety machinery of the state.
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