Still only one reported case of Swine Flu

There has still been only one recorded case of the Influenza A H1N1 “Swine Flu” virus here.

Even after scores of people flooded these shores for the recent carnival celebrations, health officials are happy to report that the 28-year-old woman who was confirmed on Thursday, 2nd July, as having the virus is still the only recorded case here.{{more}}

“We are very happy,” Chief Medical Officer Dr St Clair Thomas told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday, July 22nd.

Dr Thomas said, however, that it wasn’t an unlikely scenario that others may have contracted the virus but because they weren’t feeling particularly unwell, they stayed home and recovered.

Dr Thomas told SEARCHLIGHT that because the H1N1 is a flu virus and induces the same symptoms as the regular, seasonal flu, it is virtually impossible to detect unless someone is tested.

The only confirmed case of the virus here is a Vincentian National who had come home from Canada.

The woman had reported to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital complaining of headaches, coughing and a runny nose.

Her sample was sent off to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in Trinidad and ironically, by the time the results were returned, the woman was feeling better and had already been discharged from hospital.

The CAREC surveillance report dated July 15th indicates that there have been 352 confirmed cases of swine flu in the 18 CAREC member states with Trinidad and Tobago recording the highest number of cases with 97.

The Cayman Islands were second with 49 confirmed cases, followed by Jamaica with 44. Jamaica has however recorded two deaths as a result of the virus, however CAREC states that “Both of these occurred in patients that were obese with other underlying conditions.”

At press time, on Wednesday, July 22nd, Grenada had reportedly reported its first case of the virus, taking the regional total to 353.

Dr Thomas encouraged Vincentians to continue to practice proper hygiene, which will aid in the attempts to control the spread of the virus.(KJ)