Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/6906/-1/140/
|
Anguilla Taking Precaution Against Swine Flu
|
Anguilla is taking precautions to guard against cases of the Swine Flu entering Anguilla. The Ministry of Health and Social Development has announced that while there are still no restrictions on international travel, officials will be questioning travellers entering the island.
|
|
Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake
|
The announcement by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake said that officials in the Ministry of Heath met with personnel from the Health Authority of Anguilla, Agriculture, the Ports, Customs and Immigration on Monday this week and instituted surveillance measures at the ports of entry.
“Symptons of swine flu in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing,” she stated in a press release. “Some with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Human to human transmission of Swine Flu is also similar to the transmission of seasonal influenza which includes sneezing, coughing and contact with the mouth and/or eyes after touching objects where flu virus was present.”
The Permanent Secretary went on: “Persons are asked to engage in everyday preventive actions which include covering your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue in the trash after you use it; washing your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective; trying to avoid close contact with others to keep from infecting them; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs may be spread this way”
She further advised that anyone experiencing persistent coughing, persistent sneezing, fever or difficult breathing, should see their health care provider.
“There have been no reported cases of Swine Flu in Anguilla,” she concluded. “There is a limited supply of Tamiflu antiviral on Anguilla. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is advising against using it until further information is known. Right now it is not known whether or not Tamiflu is effective against this virus WHO should be issuing guidelines regarding the use of anti-virals. Health and Disaster Officials in Anguilla and representatives from the World Health Organisation held a tele-conference on Tuesday to share information on the disease.