Since April 2009, the world has been gripped with the A/H1N1 influenza. This influenza is caused by a virus and transmission is just like any other virus. More than half of the countries in the world are affected and its spread has been continuous. Transmission is from one person to another. According to World Health Organisation statistics, more than 160,000 cases have been confirmed as of July 31, 2009 with three deaths registered.

In Cameroon, four cases of the A/H1N1 influenza A virus which causes common cold were diagnosed in Yaounde this month. On an alert scale, the WHO has classified this epidemic at level six which indicates a passage from the epidemic to pandemic. It is for this reason that the Minister of Public Health launched a campaign for the fight against the A/H1N1 influenza yesterday in Yaounde. During the launching, Minister André Mama Fouda officially handed over fliers for the prevention and fight against pandemic influenza in the transport sector. The fliers are expected to be pasted in all airports, seaports, and land frontiers in the country.

The fliers carry necessary information for travellers coming from America, Asia and Europe or who have resided in countries where cases of A/H1N1 influenza have been declared, possibly have been in contact with the virus just before and/or during their trip. The fliers also guide the travellers on the symptoms of the disease, what to do on arrival in Cameroon and necessary contacts in case of contamination during their stay in the country.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony, the Minister of Transport, Belo Bouba Maïgari expressed satisfaction with the efforts made by the Ministry of Public Health to ensure the safety of Cameroonians. He called on the personnel in airports, seaports and all major entry points into the country to work hand in glove to ensure health security and safety in Cameroon. For his part, the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda said necessary measures have been taken by government to fight the influenza A virus.

These include the designation of health care units for the isolation and caring of patients such as those in the Yaounde Central Hospital and the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala as well as the provision of 25,850 packets of Tamiflu throughout the national territory and equipment for individual protection in health care units in major entry points into the country. The Minister used the occasion to call on the public to collaborate with the health services in the fight against the pandemic. According to the Minister, the four cases that have being detected are responding to treatment in hospital.