Anthony Bugembe
2 July 2009
Kampala — THE dreaded swine flu virus, or Influenza A, has hit Uganda with the first case, a Briton, confirmed on Wednesday night.
"On July 1, a 40-year-old male who arrived in Uganda on June 26 from London via Nairobi to Entebbe without any symptoms was confirmed to have Influenza A by our laboratories in Entebbe," said James Kakooza, the state minister for health.
Addressing journalists at the Media Centre, Kampala yesterday, Kakooza said the man was under isolation in Entebbe and was in good condition.
"The public is reminded once again to be vigilant and report any suspected case to the nearest health facility or call the emergency numbers, especially if the suspect has recently travelled or arrived from a country with confirmed cases," he said.
The emergency numbers are: 077-7793450, 077-7793451 and 077-7793452.
The virus is a highly infectious mixture of swine, bird and human viruses. It is transmitted through air by sneezing, coughing or touching contaminated materials.
Its symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, cough and seasonal flu-like symptoms occurring between one to seven days after contact with an infected person.
Kakooza said Uganda's laboratories had been strengthened to undertake screening and diagnosis. Laboratory investigations take six hours.
Sam Okware, the head of the national Influenza A taskforce, said there was no need for panic. The current strain, he said, was not fatal provided treatment is sought early.
Responding to a question on the laxity of health officials at Malaba border, Okware said: "We are engaging in community mobilisation for border populations. Our teams are moving from house-to-house, sensitising and asking people to report to health facilities when they develop symptoms."
Joaquim Saweka, the country representative of the World Health Organisation, said their focus was on preventing the disease from spreading. He cautioned the media against 'flooding' the isolation camp where the patient is.
"We are going to beef up the Ministry of Health teams at the airport and in the border districts. Fortunately, Uganda is well prepared. Different districts have been trained on how to handle the outbreak," Saweka said, adding that the people n the same flight with the patient were being monitored.
Last month, WHO gave the health ministry 40,000 doses of Tamiflu anti-viral drugs and 25 pairs of personal protective equipment for health workers. Isolation camps have been set up at Entebbe and Mulago hospitals. Also, all people entering the country are screened.
Uganda joins 121 other countries in the world where swine flu has been confirmed. First discovered in April in Mexico, the virus spread fast across the globe, prompting WHO to declare it a pandemic. Almost 80,000 people have been infected, while 337 people have died of the virus. Other African countries with confirmed cases are Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Mauritius and Algeria.
How to avoid spread
Always sneeze or cough into a hankie or tissue.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water especially after touching contaminated surfaces.
Avoid crowded places
Improve air flow in your house by opening windows.
Avoid close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (maintain a distance of one metre if possible)
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