*FG says no cause for alarm
By Chinyere Amalu
ABUJA: Nigeria has recorded the first case of the dreaded Influenza A(HIN1) known as Swine Flu. It was discovered on an America girl, aged nine years, residing in Lagos State.
The Federal Ministry of Health, which announced this development in a statement Wednesday, however urged all Nigerians not to panic over the incident.
“We want to reassure all Nigerians that there is no need to panic and that the Ministry is working together with our Partners and all the States’ Ministries of Health to make sure that Nigerians are protected from the pandemic”.
The statement singed by Niyi Ojuolape, Special Adviser (Communications) to the Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osuntimehin reads; “the Federal Ministry of Health hereby announces that the first case of the Influenza A(H1N1) otherwise called Swine Flu has been reported in Nigeria of a 9 year old female American girl residing in Lagos.
“The girl had presented with flu like symptoms of fever, sore throat, nasal congestion and nausea to the American Consular clinic in Lagos and before treatment was started, nasal specimens were taken for routine testing. Subsequently, the girl recovered fully with symptomatic treatment after 5 days of duration of illness.
“Further to checks in this regard, it has been confirmed that the father, brother and all school contacts of the girl did not suffer from any flu-like symptoms and they are all well. The mother had mild symptoms but recovered fully.
“All other contacts have been tested and they have been found negative to the Influenza A(H1N1). No other school pupil or person in the girl’s school has flu like symptoms or is absent from school because of any illness.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Health where the instant case occurred is aware of the case and further contact tracing, screening and active surveillance carried out by the state has shown that there is no other reported case so far.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and all the States’ Ministries of Health have strengthened their preparedness and response plans and have put in place enhanced surveillance to pick up and contain any case that may occur. Indeed, all 36 States’ Epidemiologists are currently meeting in Kaduna to fine-tune the country’s coordinated response to possible outbreaks of epidemics.
“To arrest any eventuality, the Federal Ministry of Health has prepositioned in all the 36 states and FCT, adequate quantities of Tamiflu, the antiviral drug for treatment and other medical supplies for containment of cases of the Influenza.
“The Federal Ministry of Health has also strengthened and intensified expanded public awareness and sensitization campaigns to improve public awareness and knowledge about the pandemic in order to further prevent or contain the influenza pandemic.
“In this regard also, the Federal Government is making strenuous efforts to procure vaccines in conjunction with the WHO
“We want to reassure all Nigerians that there is no need to panic and that the Ministry is working together with our Partners and all the States’ Ministries of Health to make sure that Nigerians are protected from the pandemic.
“Federal Ministry of Health recommends routine precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as washing your hands with soap and water often, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze”.
What is the primary source of the infection. Did this girl travel to a country where Swine Flu has been reported? or was in contact with someone from such country? We have not been told about this
I am not sure that this is the first case of swine flu. I would say this is the first case of diagnosed swine flu. Did this come to light simply because the little girl is an American and was diagnosed at the consular’s clinic? Is Nigeria truly prepared for swine flu as the health department claims? I can see unpreparedness written all over their faces. A case in question, the special adviser was talking about Tamiflu as preparation. Is this a joke? Tamiflu is for regular seasonal flu and NOT the swine flu. If the adviser needs further education, he should seek it instead of allaying fears on unfounded premises. Even the US is scrambling with developing vaccination against swine flu so much so that only those in high risk can get the vaccine for now. I think we should stop deceiving ourselves and put hands together that Nigeria does not have an epidemic of swine flu. And by way you do not need to eat pork to have swine flu. All you need to do is to be breathing air. Shikena!
The Federal government must begin a massive impotation of swine flu medicine to check the spread of the epidemic.Everybody must be vacunated. That’s what south american governments are doing to arrest the spread of the outbreak. I hope the case of the 9-year old girl is the first and the only case of the presence of the epidemic in the country. I recommend that she should be restricted to her private residence until fully recovered and all members of her household should all be vacunated too.