Outbreak of swine flu in Matabeleland
Sunday, 17 October 2010 13:47
BULAWAYO — AN outbreak of the deadly influenza H1N1 commonly known as swine flu has been reported in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North where two people have tested positive out of the 300 cases reported.
Themba Moyo, the Tsholotsho district administrator on Friday wrote to Matabeleland North provincial administrator, Latiso Dlamini notifying her of the outbreak.
“We hereby report on the outbreak of influenza H1N1 in Tsholotho District. A total of 300 cases have been reported, seven tests done and two have been confirmed positive.
Moyo said two vehicles, 600 litres of fuel, oxygen and NS fluids, among other things, were urgently needed to fight the outbreak.
Moyo confirmed the outbreak to The Standard on Friday but referred all inquiries to Dlamini.
“I can confirm the outbreak of H1N1 in Tsholotsho district but I am not at liberty to shed more light at this stage. The provincial administrator, Dlamini could be in a position to comment further” said Moyo.
It was not clear by yesterday whether the two who tested positive are quarantined in hospitals or not.
Minister of Health and Child Welfare Henry Madzorera and Dlamini were not available yesterday for comment.
When the virus was first detected last year, all entry points to Zimbabwe were put on high alert.
Early this year the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) donated medical supplies to fight a future influenza outbreak.
The consignment included
50 000 personal protective clothing kits worth US$645 000, for influenza preparedness for use by health care workers in Zimbabwe and throughout southern Africa in case of an outbreak.
Last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO), declared swine flu a pandemic, making it the first outbreak to be classified as such in 41 years.
Swine flu, which was first detected in Mexico in April last year, infected some 40 000 people in more than 70 countries and killed 167.
The US Centre for Disease Control advice on combating the H1N1 says that the flu is believed to spread between humans through sneezing or coughing by infected people.
It recommends confinement at home in order to limit contact with other people and running the risk of spreading the disease.
It advises against close contact with infected people, covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
It also counsels against touching eyes, the nose or mouth after coughing or sneezing as this spreads germs.
Washing hands with soap after sneezing or coughing is recommended.
Some of the symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms which include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue
Saturday, 16-10-2010
MAKASSAR, Upeks-Council deeply regrets the rise gelonggongan chicken sold in traditional markets. As found in market-baeng Pa'baeng. Moreover, if true tiren chickens are also sold in the market, thus making people uneasy.
Department of Industry and Trade (Disperindag) and Public Health (Diskes) Makassar asked to conduct surveillance.
Member of Commission D of the DPRD Makassar, Muh Iqbal Abdul Djalil LC to Upeks in DPRD Makassar, Friday (15/10) said it regretted if true chicken and tiren gelonggongan to circulate in the market.
"If the merchants do the injection of water for the heavy weight of chicken meat has been fraud to the buyer. Moreover, to sell chicken carcasses that have been clearly illegitimate and unfit for consumption, "said Iqbal.
According to him, whatever the reason for traders to sell chicken tiren gelonggongan and it still is not justified. Moreover, because of trade competition or simply to gain unilateral advantage. While the people who buy for consumption is obviously very impaired.
To anticipate it said legislators from the PKS faction, Disperindag and health monitoring in every traditional market in Makassar. "Because to be disastrous for public health, if the chicken pieces and tiren gelonggongan had been consumed," he said
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