Two more cases of Swine flu confirmed

KIGALI - Two new cases of the Influenza A, H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, have been confirmed in a catholic primary school only identified as Sainte Marie in Kiyovu. This brings the country’s total cases to six after the original four cases that were reported on Saturday. According to the Director of the Epidemic Infectious Disease Unit in TRAC Plus, Dr. Jackson Sebeza, the pupils contracted the virus from one of the children of the already infected family. “The Ministry of Health is set to hold talks with the Ministry of Education in a bid to come up with a firm solution that will curb transmission of this influenza,” Sebeza told The New Times. The acting Chief Executive Officer of King Faisal Hospital where the first four cases were referred, Dr. Juliet Mbabazi, said that so far the patients’ health is progressing and everything possible is being done to ensure quick recovery. “We have isolated the patients and so far we are treating them at home. It is easier to curb transmission levels if people are treated at home because once admitted to hospital, it is possible infect other patients that may already be in severe condition with other diseases. “They are on Tamiflu doses and their condition is improving. The good news is that they are not dehydrated and symptoms are reducing,” Mbabazi explained. According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the virus was brought by a traveler who was returning home from the United States of America. Her family is infected as well as a staff member of King Faisal Hospital. The Director General of TRAC Plus, Prof. Michael Kramer, recently advised that it is imperative for the public to be more vigilant, report suspected cases to health facilities and practice preventative measures such as covering the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing. “All contacts with these confirmed cases, including their family members and contacts are being traced and checked for symptoms of flu like illness. All contacts with symptoms will be tested for H1N1 and appropriately treated,” the statement says. The World Health Organization provided the country with 14,000 doses of Tamiflu. Officials also add that an emergency working group composed of TRAC Plus, National Reference Laboratory, Rwanda Health Communication Center, referral hospitals and partners have started working immediately to contain the situation. Since the confirmation of the outbreak of flu in Mexico in April this year, the disease has spread to all continents. Ends