SWRHA CEO: Swine flu contained

KEITH McDonald, CEO of the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), is convinced that the spread of swine flu in TT has been contained. Yesterday the SWRHA head said there had been no reports of this disease over the past two days.

The swine flu, he says, has common symptoms but can be a deadly disease. “One should take action if they experience any sign of swine flu,” Mc Donald said.

There is no shortage of the vaccine for swine flu, he said, and to be on the safe side people should go to the closest heath centre and get vaccinated.

Chairman of the Couva/Talparo Regional Corporation Henry Awong said there had been no new reports of swine flu in Tabaquite over the weekend.

“I have taken a stance on this matter for the people of this area,” he said, adding that his office sent out a bulletin calling for everyone to be vaccinated.

Since the news broke two weeks ago that taxi driver Nicole Seecharan, 47, had died of the virus, people have been flooding the health centre in Couva and Tabaquite for vaccination. Dr Nishard Ali of San Fernando said the signs and symptoms of swine flu are similar to those caused by other flu strains and can include: fever, chills, cough, headaches, fatigue, diarrhoea, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and watery or red eyes and body aches.

“Flu symptoms develop about one to three days after you’re exposed to the virus,” Ali said. He said it is necessary to see a doctor if you develop flu signs and symptoms, and pregnant women, he said, should be extremely careful if they have a chronic disease, such as asthma, emphysema, diabetes or a heart condition, because they have a higher risk of complications from the flu.

He explains that the influenza viruses infect the cells that line the nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters the body when one inhales contaminated droplets or transfers live virus from a contaminated surface to one’s eyes, nose or mouth.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said since early December he has been asking the members of the public to get vaccinated. “The only way to prevent the spread of the disease is to get vaccinated,” he said.