PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Monday July 06, 2009- On Friday July 03 2009 at 3:30pm, a test confirmed that a case of Swine Flu has been found in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The patient, a sixteen-year-old resident had contract the virus.
The boy has been treated and placed in home isolation. Close family members and those the young man has been in contact with recently have been tested and their tests were found to be negative. To this end, the Health Department will be contacting the school where the boy has been attending.
The H1N1 influenza A virus, Swine Flu -is just another type of flu virus; and have typical seasonal flu symptoms. The big difference is that the current swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has components of pig and bird influenza viruses in it, so that humans don't have any immunity to it. That makes it more likely to become a pandemic virus (have the ability to cause a global outbreak) if it can easily spread from person-to-person.
The Health Department is asking that all persons experiencing flu like symptoms should go to nearest medical facility and get tested for the Swine Flu virus.
Swine Flu Symptoms
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:
- Fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
- Cough
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
- Diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu
Signs of a more serious swine flu infection might include pneumonia and respiratory failure. Serious
Swine Flu Symptoms
More serious symptoms that would indicate that a child with swine flu would need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In the meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is continuing its active disease surveillance program in the TCI in order to minimize the impact of Influenza A H1N1 in these Islands. The Ministry continues to advise all residents to engage in the following healthful practices at all times:
- Cover your nose and mouth whenever you are coughing or sneezing with a tissue, and throw tissue in the trash after use.
- Wash hands often with soap and water especially after coughing or sneezing
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers in the absence of soap and water
- Try to avoid close contact with sick persons especially those with a respiratory illness.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as germs are often spread in this way
- Persons who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
For additional information, contact Health Education Unit, Ministry of Health. Tel Num: 649-946-2801 Ext: 40804 at 8:00am-4: 30pm Mondays to Thursdays or Fridays 8:00am to 4:00pm. Or Tel Num: 649-344-8141(c).
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