GOVT TAKE UP ACTIONS AGAINST SWINE FLU

        In a bid to prevent further spread and impact of Influenza A (H1N1)/swine flu pandemic, the federal government through the federal health ministry, has stepped up measures to mitigate a possible outbreak.

        According to the Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, the Federal Ministry of Health was not unaware of the implication of the declaration of the pandemic as it affects Nigeria, especially against poor and weak health systems. He said that it was not certain how this virus would behave under the Nigeria tropical environment.

        Osotimehin reaffirmed that the federal government have prepared for any unforeseen circumstances concerning the spread of the flu into the country. He explained: “Ongoing public enlightenment campaigns at all levels will be stepped up at this time, to provide information to the citizenry about the pandemic and the imperatives of personal hygiene as ways of controlling the spread the influenza.”

        He further said that surveillance has been strengthened at all ports entry into the country and all Federal Port Health Services Officers have been sensitized and are at alert at the International airport. Furthermore, in other to put in check any suspected outbreak, the ministry has put in place the “National Epidemic Preparedness and Response Committee”. He also said that the Federal Government has set in motion systems to prepare plans, identify cases as efficiently as possible and minimize serious illness with proper health care health care treatment.

Moreover, there has also been training of State directors of public health, Epidemiologist, Prepositioning of drugs and supplies in all the states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Federal Territory Hospitals; training of port Health services Officers on Swine flu identification and training of laboratory scientists on the laboratory confirmation of the flu. Sensitization meetings have also been held with International Health Regulations Stakeholders.

According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) Report, not less than 74 countries have officially reported 29,669 cases of Influenza A (H1N1) Infections including death