Public is urged to continue precautionary measures for flu

Earlier in the news cast we reported on the close call at the Tourism Village when crew members on a visiting cruise ship were kept in isolation because of flu-like symptoms. Doctor Paul Edwards urges the public to continue to exercise caution.

Dr. Paul Edwards, Focal Point Pandemic Influenza
"The type A H1N1 continues to increase around the world. I think today that the World Health Organization has reported twenty-eight thousand seven hundred and seventy-four confirmed cases. And because of that, the Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan has moved from phase five to phase six. So while that continues to happen outside of Belize because we still don't have any confirmed case of Influenza Type A H1N1, we still need to be vigilant and alert. Our recommendations from the Ministry of Health, continue to be there when you talk about continue the hand washing practices, the cough etiquette in relation to sneezing and coughing in the sleeve of your shirt as such. And we continue to say that those individuals who present flu like symptoms, for them to access the healthcare system as soon as possible and also for those individuals who would present those flu symptoms, not to attend public gatherings. The increase from phase five to six is based on geographic distribution of the cases. That was done because we now see other countries in another region of the World Health Organization; the regions they have identified, and that was why Dr. Chan decided to move from a phase five to a phase six. But when we look at the actual severity of the disease, we are now convinced and we only now know this, that that information was not there from the very onset, that the signs and symptoms were basically mild and people fully recovered. We have seen unfortunately that people who have underlying conditions, for example cardiovascular disease, they have asthma, diabetes and even some pregnant mothers, unfortunately the severity was more and those individuals died. There are approximately a hundred and forty-four individuals who have died. But when you look at the amount of people who have been affected by this virus and those who have died, it is extremely small. That is what we call the fatality rate."

The Ministry of Health continues its enhanced surveillance at health facilities and monitoring through the Health Information System. Doctor Edwards says that the ministry will keep updating the country on the situation and will continue with the public education campaign.