Morocco's Health Ministry has assured that there is no case of swine flu in the country, even as the disease is confirmed to have spread from Mexico to other parts of the world.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the ministry said it had put in place a series of measures to activate the national bird flu control commission, that was set up in 2005, to tackle the swine flu.
It said the measures were also aimed at strengthening health control operations in the main entry points (airports, ports and frontiers) and operating the flu detection materials at international airports.
Over 152 people have died in Mexico alone since the swine flu outbreak was reported, while the US has also recorded its first death.
The UN's World Health Organization has raised the alert over swine flu to level five - indicating human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. It is a "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent", the WHO says. After Mexico, the US has recorded the next highest number of confirmed cases, with 91.
A senior health official in Europe says it is not a question of whether people in Europe will die, but how many - perhaps hundreds or thousands. Meanwhile in Mexico, President Felipe Calderon has announced the partial suspension of non-essential work and services from 1 to 5 May. The efforts of the government were concentrated on containing the virus, Mr Calderon said, urging people to stay at home with their families during the shutdown.
CONFIRMED CASES
Mexico: 168 suspected deaths - eight confirmed
US: one death, at least 91 confirmed cases
New Zealand: 13 confirmed cases
Canada: 19 confirmed cases
UK: 5 confirmed cases
Spain: 10 confirmed cases
Germany: 3 confirmed cases
Israel: 2 confirmed cases
Switzerland: 1 confirmed case
Austria: 1 confirmed case
Moroccan airports power up for detection
A few African countries have already announced precautionary measures. Here in Morocco, close to Spain, where the first European case of the disease has been reported, the Ministry of Health has stated that provisions against the introduction of A/H1N1 viruses on its territory have been made.
A device already in place since 2005 has been reactivated. An earlier plan to combat an outbreak of the avian flu is still pertinent in the fight against the swine flu, according to the authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco. The main measures concerned, basically, involve the strengthening of health checks at land borders, ports and airports. Fever detecting cameras have also been installed at airports. Epidemiological surveillance, both clinical and biological, of the common flu and acute respiratory infections has also been strengthened.
The View from Fez reported on the response to Avian Flu in this report BIRD FLU and it is believed the same thermal imaging devices are now again in action at Morocco's airports.
The disease and symptoms
The disease, which appeared in Mexico April 24 and has already caused an estimated 150 deaths among thousands of cases, is spreading like wild fire the world over. Known or suspected cases have been detected in the United States, Canada, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, China to name a few of the countries. The disease, type A flu virus H1N1 is transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route. Last Sunday the WHO described the new virus as subtype A/H1N1 that has never been previously detected in pigs or humans.
The symptoms of the swine influenza are similar to those of ordinary seasonal flus. They are characterized by fevers, headaches, aching muscles... According to the World health organization, the virus responsible for recent human cases of swine influenza responds to oselatmivir molecules (marketed as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (whose trade name is Relenza). To be effective, Tamiflu must be taken no later than 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, indicated the manufacturing laboratory, Roche.
Morocco has stocks of Tamiflu for 1 million people and hopes to negotiate price reductions on further supplies, enough for 15-20 percent of the 34 million population. Is issuing gloves, surgical boots and masks to health and airport workers.
Face masks have become a hot sale item around the worldTags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
2 comments:
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those caused by other influenza viruses. Health authorities across the globe are taking steps to try to stem the spread of swine flu after outbreaks in Mexico and the United States. The World Health Organization has called it a "public health emergency of international concern."
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those caused by other influenza viruses. Health authorities across the globe are taking steps to try to stem the spread of swine flu after outbreaks in Mexico and the United States. The World Health Organization has called it a "public health emergency of international concern."
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