H1N1 threat subsides

NO new cases of the H1N1 flu – commonly known as swine flu – have been reported for the past month.

This was confirmed yesterday by Ministry of Health and Social Services spokesperson Gladys Kamboo, who told The Namibian that the number of confirmed flu cases has remained at 70 since September 29.She said all 70 patients who had tested positive for the flu had recovered well after being given the antiviral drug Tamiflu.Namibia has had one H1N1-related fatality.Providing a comprehensive summary of all the H1N1 flu figures for Namibia, Kamboo stated that of the 345 cases sent for testing, 245 were negative, 70 were positive, 18 were seasonal flu cases, 10 specimens were lost, and four were rejected.The results for two more samples remain outstanding from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. On the global front, the World Health Organisation last week reported over 415 000 laboratory-confirmed cases, with at least 4 999 flu-related deaths. It notes, however, that the actual number of cases is much higher, given that countries are no longer required to test and report individual cases.