Two ‘swine flu’ cases confirmed

HEALTH Minister Dr Richard Kamwi has announced the first two cases of swine flu in the country, but has also called on Namibians not to panic – he said the situation is under control.

‘There is no need to close schools or shops at the moment. Both cases were treated on arrival,’ he said, when providing details at a media briefing in Windhoek yesterday.A 13 year-old boy from Rehoboth, returning from the Craven Week schools rugby tournament in South Africa, and a young woman, who returned from Europe last week, have tested positive.Kamwi said the Rehoboth boy was with 20 others, plus five adults, in the bus that travelled to South Africa and back and all of them have received prophylactic treatment while some had tests done as well.’The close contacts like the family, classmates and relatives were traced and treated with 11 receiving treatment while nine were swabbed for virus identification,’ Kamwi said.The Minister added that education officials, Police, town councillors and private health care providers at Rehoboth met yesterday afternoon while a flu clinic will be opened to treat those with symptoms.The young woman in the second case informed health officials that she had all the symptoms, after reading through a leaflet she received from them at Windhoek’s international airport.She was immediately taken to the Windhoek Central Hospital by ambulance (where a nasal swab was taken), given treatment and allowed to go home.The Health Ministry made announcements via local radio stations and 15 of the people who were on the same plane rushed to the Robert Mugabe clinic in Windhoek for prophylaxis treatment. Two other contacts were traced and treated at Katima Mulilo.On Sunday, Kamwi said, the two ambulance drivers who transported the young woman to Windhoek also received prophylaxis together with two South Africa Airways employees and three other passengers who were on board.’My appeal to the Namibian nation is to remain calm. I call for your co-operation with the health workers. All measures to treat and stop further transmission are now in place. As a result there is no need to panic,’ he said.Kamwi said they have stockpiled Oseltamivir medicine and swabs for virus identification.His call on the nation is to continue with hygienic practices such as washing hands and to stick to respiratory etiquette such as keeping a distance of two metres from a person who is sick and to use tissue when sneezing and coughing.Dr Henriette Roux said 19 suspected cases have been recorded and tests done of which the two reported positive.Yesterday three other tests were done, including one for the coach of the schools rugby team that went to SA, and their results are still expected.Dr Desda Thiruneh of the World Health Organisation said the cases did not warrant any drastic action such as closing schools since prompt action was taken. christof@namibian.com.na