Monday, December 7, 2009

First swine flu case in Montserrat

The health department confirmed that Montserrat has the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended amount of the influenza anti-viral drug, Tamiflu, on hand. (File photo)

The health department confirmed that Montserrat has the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended amount of the influenza anti-viral drug, Tamiflu, on hand. (File photo)

BRADES, Montserrat, December 7, 2009 - Montserrat has recorded its first case of swine flu.

The country's Ministry of Health said a 13-year-old was the first person to test positive for the H1N1 virus since the 2009 pandemic that began in April.

It said the teenager was successfully treated by health care professionals at the Glendon Hospital and continues to recover without the need for hospitalization.

The discovery of the first case has put health officials on high alert. Epidemiologist and health planner with the Ministry of Health, Dorothea Hazel, said following a meeting with members of the Surveillance Response Team that the situation is being closely monitored and is presently under control.

Authorities have already designated one of the island's health care facilities - the St Peter's Clinic - a "flu clinic".

Public education is also being intensified and residents have been urged to remain calm.

The health department confirmed that Montserrat has the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended amount of the influenza anti-viral drug, Tamiflu, on hand. The WHO suggests that countries have enough of the medication for 25 percent to 30 percent of the population.

No comments:

Post a Comment