The Ministry of Health is informing the public that based on a review of surveillance data from the Health Information Unit there are no confirmed cases and no outbreak of Swine Flu or the H1N1 virus in Dominica.
There has been reports of outbreaks of the virus in the islands of St. Vincent, Barbados and Trinidad.
In light of the outbreak in these islands, the Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation closely and wishes to assure the public that all systems for response to influenza cases are in place.
However, the Ministry would like to remind the public to practice good personal hygiene to protect themselves and others from acquiring the influenza (flu) virus.
Symptoms of the Swine Flu include: sudden high fever (over 38°C or 100°F), sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, headache, body aches and fatigue.
Persons experiencing Influenza-like symptoms and any signs of faintness, weakness or breathing difficulty should seek medical attention immediately .
The most common method of transmission of the influenza (flu) virus is through droplets released into the air from the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. This can happen when droplets are inhaled directly by people nearby. Some droplets containing the virus also fall on hard surfaces (like desks, tables, phones and door knobs). People get infected when they touch these surfaces and then touch their eyes, mouth or nose.
Here are some of the things you can do to protect yourself and others from getting the Flu:-
• Wash your hands with soap and water more now than usual;
• If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizers and rub your hands together very hard for a minute or more;
• Avoid shaking hands and kissing;
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Throw away soiled tissue in a garbage bin after single use;
• Avoid touching your face if your hands are not clean because cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose and mouth;
• If you are sick, stay away from crowds, young children and very elderly persons
• Drink a lot of fluids, juice, water, coconut water and soups;
The Ministry of Health will keep the public informed of any new developments.
I hope there will be no more sign of this swine flu. A thought, if possible, visitors to the island should be inoculated. They could easily carry the virus.
Take note. It is said chicken noodle soup is excellent for those who contract the flu of any nature. In addition, make tea with ginger, garlic and sweeten it with honey; just a little as a teaspoon.
While writing this, I am listening to the late evening news. The discussion is about sugar and that some of us consume too much sugar, hidden sugar also in processed foods and in drinks as pop.
It is said that everything we purchase to eat contains sugar. This has been a source of discussion for a few days, informing us about diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight, obesity. It is said sugar and not fat contributes to these illnesses. I thought I would state this. It is a warning to use less sugar in our diet.
These are all virus’ made in government and private drug company research labs and then released so that the drug companies can make money on vaccines that don’t do anything but may have cancer virus’ in them.
The health minister should mandate preventative measures by administering flu shots to the elderly, young children and citizens with low immune system who are susceptible the flu. The fact there is no outbreak of the virus on the island, doesn’t mean that they are safe.
what’s the swine flu drama about? It turned out to be a damp squib in the first place. SO many people probably had it and did not know.
Anyway, if a deadly flu epidemic breaks out here, most of dominica would die because people just love to cough and sneeze without covering thier mouth.
no swine flue on island thats good news and i do hope it remains that way,but on the other hand the festive season is coming up lots of visitors will be on island we are not out of the woods yet just have to be careful and practise good hygiene
Just to add the main host of this flu is chicken and some scientists even believe that pork can also carry it to. It is usually transmitted through eating raw or not properly cooked chicken, pork or eggs. Farmers are more at risks so they need to identify the animals that look ill or so. It is a deadly disease and has caused great loss of life in Asia. Dominica is so much smaller imagine what it would be.