Swine Flu in Africa - Tahadhari! - JamiiForums |The Home of Great Thinkers

Swine Flu in Africa - Tahadhari! · 1st May 2009, 01:42 PM

Egypt's call to kill pigs amid flu scare ridiculed

By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, AP Business Writer
Fri May 1, 3:27 am ET
CAIRO – Egypt's government was hoping to look strong and proactive in the swine flu scare with its decision to slaughter all the country's pigs, after taking heavy criticism at home for poor planning and corruption in past crises.
But instead, some Egyptians called the move a knee-jerk overreaction that even the World Health Organization said was unnecessary.
Egypt, which has no swine flu cases, is the only country in the world to order a mass pig slaughter in response to the disease. The move mirrored Egypt's battle with bird flu, in which the government killed 25 million birds within weeks in 2006.
But international health officials said the swine flu virus that has caused worldwide fear is not transmitted by pigs, and that pig slaughters do nothing to stop its spread.The WHO on Thursday stopped using the term "swine flu" to avoid confusion.
In Egypt, even the editor of a pro-government newspaper criticized the order to slaughter the estimated 300,000 pigs, which was pushed by parliament and issued by the government.
"Killing (pigs) is not a solution, otherwise, we should kill the people, because the virus spreads through them," wrote Abdullah Kamal of the daily Rose El-Youssef. "The terrified members of parliament should have concentrated on asking the government first about the preventive measures and ways of confronting the problem."
The Egyptian government has come under criticism in past years for being caught flat-footed by crises.
A rockslide that crushed a Cairo neighborhood and killed at least 100, and a series of fires — including one that burned down the upper house of parliament — highlighted how ill-prepared emergency services are. A 2005 ferry sinking that killed 1,000 raised an uproar over poor safety conditions.
Many accused the government of not taking precautions when bird flu first appeared in Asia in 2003. When the first case appeared in Egypt in 2006, the government carried out mass bird culls, but the disease has killed more than two dozen people since.
With the new flu scare, the government "took a precautionary step because they were afraid there would be a case here, and then they would face questions about why they didn't take this step," said Nader Noureddin, an agricultural resources expert at Cario University's Agricultural College.
The government likely felt confident slaughtering pigs would not spark any public backlash in predominantly Muslim Egypt, where the majority of the population does not eat pork. Pig raising and consumption is limited to the country's Christian minority, estimated at 10 percent of the population.
Still, the opposition Muslim Brotherhood was critical of the slaughter on the grounds it was not thought out.
"The problem is that the government here deals with things in emotional ways," said Essam el-Erian, a top Brotherhood leader. "It acts with the memory of what happened during the bird flu crisis."
Coptic Christian leaders — including the pope — condoned the slaughter, and two Coptic lawmakers were among the most vocal supporters.
But pig farmers — overwhelmingly Christian — were angered. Government efforts to start the slaughter Wednesday were met with farmers who hurled stones at Health Ministry trucks.
"This is the livelihood of a segment of the people," said Youssef Sidhom, an editor of the Al-Watani newspaper and prominent Coptic figure. "You can't just do something on the national level and ignore a segment of the population."

i DECIDED TO POST THIS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ON JF TOOK THIS AS AN EXCUSE TO DEBATE RELIGION UNWISELY.

The Farmer · #2 2nd May 2009, 09:28 AM

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You
May 1, 2009, 8:45 PM ET

What is H1N1 (swine flu)?
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in April 2009 in the United States. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?
This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

Do pigs carry this virus and can I catch this virus from a pig?
At this time, there is no evidence that swine in the United States are infected with this new virus. However, there are flu viruses that commonly cause outbreaks of illness in pigs. Most of the time, these viruses do not infect people, but influenza viruses can spread back and forth between pigs and people.

Are there human infections with this H1N1 virus in the U.S.?
Yes. Cases of human infection with this H1N1 influenza virus were first confirmed in the U.S. in Southern California and near Guadalupe County, Texas. The outbreak intensified rapidly from that time and more and more states have been reporting cases of illness from this virus. An updated case count of confirmed novel H1N1 flu infections in the United States is kept at CDC H1N1 Flu | Swine Influenza (Flu) Investigation. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this new H1N1 virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of this new influenza A H1N1 virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

How severe is illness associated with this new H1N1 virus?
It’s not known at this time how severe this virus will be in the general population. CDC is studying the medical histories of people who have been infected with this virus to determine whether some people may be at greater risk from infection, serious illness or hospitalization from the virus. In seasonal flu, there are certain people that are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. This includes young children, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65 and older. It’s unknown at this time whether certain groups of people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications from infection with this new virus. CDC also is conducting laboratory studies to see if certain people might have natural immunity to this virus, depending on their age.

How does this new H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Is there a risk from drinking water?
Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of the novel H1N1 flu virus to conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as novel H1N1 would also be similarly inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat infection with this new virus?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these new influenza A (H1N1) viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. During the current outbreak, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during is to treat severe influenza illness.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. CDC is studying the virus and its capabilities to try to learn more and will provide more information as it becomes available.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against this new H1N1 virus. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
o Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Other important actions that you can take are:
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill for 7 days or until your symptoms go away (whichever is longer). Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

What is CDC doing in response to the outbreak?
CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. CDC continues to issue new interim guidance for clinicians and public health professionals. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak.

What epidemiological investigations are taking place in response to the recent outbreak?
CDC works very closely with state and local officials in areas where human cases of H1N1 (swine flu) infections have been identified. In California and Texas, where EpiAid teams have been deployed, many epidemiological activities are taking place or planned including:
• Active surveillance in the counties where infections in humans have been identified;
• Studies of health care workers who were exposed to patients infected with the virus to see if they became infected;
• Studies of households and other contacts of people who were confirmed to have been infected to see if they became infected;
• Study of a public high school where three confirmed human cases of influenza A (H1N1) of swine origin occurred to see if anyone became infected and how much contact they had with a confirmed case; and
• Study to see how long a person with the virus infection sheds the virus.
• Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.

How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

What kills influenza virus?
Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time. For example, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. The gels should be rubbed into hands until they are dry.

How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.

What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled?
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.
Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

*Note: Much of the information in this document is based on studies and past experience with seasonal (human) influenza. CDC believes the information applies to the new H1N1 (swine) viruses as well, but studies on this virus are ongoing to learn more about its characteristics. This document will be updated as new information becomes available.

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

macinkus · #3 2nd May 2009, 06:25 PM

Kuna maoni mengine kuhusu ugonjwa huu ambao kwa sasa unavuma sana. Tazama kiambatisho hapo chini

macinkus

ByaseL · #4 3rd July 2009, 11:42 AM

Sarah Scheenstra
Kampala

Uganda’s first case of the H1N1 swine flu virus was confirmed Wednesday night in a 40-year-old man from the UK, the Ministry of Health announced Thursday.

The man arrived in Uganda on June 26, 2009 from London via Nairobi to Entebbe on Kenya Airways. He passed through the health checkpoint at the airport with no symptoms and proceeded to Kampala to visit Ugandan friends. He did not stay in a hotel.

After contracting flu symptoms, he was admitted to Entebbe Hospital where Wednesday night he was confirmed to have Influenza A (H1N1) by the health laboratories in Entebbe.

The patient has been isolated in Entebbe and is reported to be in good condition. Officials were not able to give more information about the man or his activities while in Kampala.

“The task force is ready and we are going to make sure that whatever cases are reported to us we can handle,” Mr James Kakooza, the State Minister for Primary Health Care, said yesterday.
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the WHO has been working to prepare Uganda for the outbreak.

According to Mr Paul Kagwa, the assistant commissioner for health education and promotion, the country has been preparing for the virus for the past six months

Passengers arriving at the Entebbe International Airport must pass through a special health screening before they proceed through immigration. The screening is a self-report questionnaire asking passengers where they are coming from and whether they have any flu symptoms.

When the man who is being kept at Entebbe Grade B Hospital arrived on the June 26, he had no symptoms and easily passed through the screening. The borders are also supposed to be carefully monitored, however, although Mr Kagwa told the Daily Monitor on Tuesday that all border points were being instructed to be “extra vigilant,” the first case seems to have caught the people manning them unaware.

An Akamba bus driver, who refused to be named for fear of being fired, told Daily Monitor that no health screening is taking place at the border. “No one is screened there, they only stamp the passport,” he said soon after arriving in Kampala yesterday morning from Kenya via the Busia border. Several others recently arrived in the country confirmed his report.

Maverick · #5 8th July 2009, 10:12 PM

DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzanian officials said Wednesday that a 17-year-old British student who was hospitalised earlier this month has been confirmed as the east African country's first case of swine flu.

Andrew Swai, director of clinical services at the country's main referral hospital in the capital Dar es Salaam, said the teenager was among a group of 15 students and teachers who flew in from Britain via Kenya on July 2 to carry out volunteer work.

"The victim has undergone a first diagnostic test and it was positive" for A(H1N1), he told AFP. "No need for panic this is just a single case and we know how it came about."

Swai added there was no cause for alarm over the patient's condition.

The government's chief medical officer Deo Mutasiwa said Tanzania was well prepared for an epidemic, that stocks of Tamiflu were satisfactory and that doses had recently been sent out to the touristic island of Zanzibar.

Tanzania is not the first country in east Africa to have been hit by the spreading virus, with Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda reporting their first cases in recent days.

More than 94,500 cases of swine flu have been confirmed worldwide and the virus has caused more than 425 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

Source:AFP

MpendaTz · #6 8th July 2009, 11:05 PM

Asanteni Madaktari pamoja na mshahara mdogo mnatutia moyo, la sivyo nchi nzima itafanana na ghala la jeshi la Mbagala!

Ambassador · #7 9th July 2009, 09:28 AM

Actions taken

1. The other remaining group were given health education on Swine flu and given the PPE and told that if they develop any of the symptoms they should report immediately to the following telephone number at the
Epidemiology section; + 255-22-2136803 or contact Dr Mohamed Ally at +255-787-292393. Officials are still monitoring the rest of the group.

2. Strengthen surveillance at all port of entry and especially for the remaining group are expected to come within 7th - 21st July 2009
a. Distribute more PPE at all port of entry
b. Facilitate the production of Health declaration forms

3. Strengthen patient management and care
a. Short term- to use MNH isolation facility as well as train health workers
b. Long term-facilitate the speed of renovation of Ilala (Amana hospital) which has been planned for isolation

4.Strengthen surveillance at all regions and districts
5. Prepare a press release to inform the general public in order to control anxiety and panic. Continue with health education to community through radio, TV and newspapers
6. Distribute Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to all regions/ referral hospitals
7.Convene a Multisectoral task force meeting

Nguli · #8 9th July 2009, 09:37 AM

Am conviced the wazunguz are spreading these disease….the question remain, were they not checked for shwne flu before they left for ea countries?

Mutensa · #9 9th July 2009, 09:45 AM

Leo nimeshuhudia scenario ya kushangaza kuhusu suala hili TBC1. Wale ambao TBC imewatafuta Dr mmoja mama na Professor mwingine mwanaume ili waongelee suala hili la mafua ya nguruwe, wote walikuwa wanadai hawamsikii vema mtangazaji. Wakati wa kipindi cha jambo Tanzanzania, Dr. Grace amehojiwa, wakati maongezi yanaendelea, simu yake ilikatika na kutoa automated voice (Simu yako haina salio la....) halafu ikakatika. Nimejiuliza maswali mengi. Lakini finally ikabidi niwe na postive thinking kuwa labda Dr. alikuwa amefoward simu zake kwenye namba nyingine then akaishiwa salio kwenye simu inayofowadi.
Natamani TBC iendelee kumtafuta huyu professa.

Opaque · #10 9th July 2009, 10:54 AM

	Quote:	Nguli
	Am conviced the wazunguz are spreading these disease….the question remain, were they not checked for shwne flu before they left for ea countries?

Yeah, Waafrika tukienda abroad esp Europe na Asia tunalazimika kuwa tumepata chanjo ya Yellow Fever, wao je wakija kwetu? Nakumbuka jinsi nilivyojisikia kunyanyasika baada ya kusoma bango pale Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo, Sri Lanka) linalotutaka abiria tunaotoka au tuliopita Africa na South America kwenda kupewa dozi. Niliona upuuzi, nanikala kona kimtindo kuelekea exit door.

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