Laos confirms it has no suspected human case of swine flu

(KPL) The Ministry of Health confirmed there was no suspected case of human swine flu in Laos.
This was said by Deputy Minister of Health, Professor Dr Eksavang Vongvichit at a joint press conference between Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation on 28 April in Vientiane.
At this press conference WHO said that it declared a public health emergency of international concern regarding confirmation of 75 cases of swine flu in Mexico, USA, Canada, UK and Spain and with suspected cases undergoing investigation in countries throughout the Americas, Asia, Oceania and Europe.
The influenza is due to a virus which is thought to have been transmitted from human to human although the extent to which this has happened and how sustainable this type of transmission is remains unknown.
Therefore swine influenza has the potential to cause a global pandemic influenza outbreak.
Following a WHO Emergency Committee Meeting convened on 27 April in Geneva, the pandemic phase has been raised from level 3 to level 4.
While, up to date Laos is free of this disease however, measures have been established to cope with the situation as they become apparent.
An intensive surveillance system is being put in place focusing on influenza Like Illness and Acute Respiratory Illness at health facilities through the existing system and additional mechanisms.
Given the preparation for avian influenza, a strong foundation is in place to support these measures and Laos has prepared stockpiles of various resources including medication to treat viral illness.
The Ministry of Health along with the National Animal and Human Influenza Co-ordinating Office (NAHICO) and the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE) have been undertaking these activities with support from WHO.
Aside from the measures implemented by the Ministry of Health, it urged the members of the public to see their doctors if they have fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
The Ministry also said people should cover their coughs or sneezes with masks or tissues or sleeves, maintain good personal hygiene, wash their hands frequently and avoid obviously sick people with fever and cough.
The ministry also advised anyone currently returning from affected country who has developed a fever 38 degrees or more, along with a cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath, to contact medical personnel and the public are being asked to report to the hotline of NAHICO through the following number 166 (NAHICO) and 021 350 209 (NCLE).

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