H1N1 cases continue to rise

FOUR more cases of the H1N1 flu virus, commonly known as ‘swine flu’, have been confirmed in Namibia, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 44.

At a meeting of the National Health Emergency Management Committee (NHEMC) yesterday, Dr Henriette Roux of the Namibia Institute of Pathology confirmed that three more tests returned positive from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in South Africa yesterday morning.This brings the total number of positive cases reported by the NIP to 41 – up four from 37 on Monday. The total number reported by PathCare – which sends swab tests from private doctors to the NICD for testing – still stands at three, bringing the national total to 44.According to the latest NIP and Pathcare figures, 263 swabs have been sent to the NICD so far for testing. Of these, 144 have tested negative, 14 patients have ordinary seasonal flu, and 55 results are still being awaited. Two of the specimens were lost by the NICD, and four were rejected. Based on discussions at the meeting, the positive cases have so far appeared to be mild with many of the patients having recovered well, but NHEMC representatives have stated that efforts are underway ‘to see how all the people who have tested positive are doing’.To date, no H1N1-related deaths have occurred, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with respiratory illness who were tested for the flu all tested negative.(See flu factbox on page 5 for information on recognising and preventing the flu)AFRICA UPDATEMeanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has proposed various measures to strengthen the capacity of member states in the Africa Region for outbreak preparedness and response.Africa currently has more than 7 000 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu, with South Africa leading the pack with 5 841 confirmed cases and 27 laboratory-confirmed flu deaths. South Africa is followed by Egypt, which has confirmed at least 703 flu cases, and one flu-related death. Mauritius has reported seven flu-related deaths.Among the measures proposed by WHO Regional Director Dr Luis Sambo are ‘mitigating the potential impact of the pandemic on populations and health systems; raising awareness of health issues through the development and implementation of reliable communication strategies; updating and using existing epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response plans, and the scaling up of surveillance monitoring and assessment of the status of the pandemic.’Sambo has also called for improved testing capacity and infection control in healthcare settings, and intensified resource mobilisation.Globally, the WHO’s latest update indicates that over 209 438 cases have been confirmed, with at least 2 185 flu-related deaths.nangula@namibian.com.na