By John Denny

Observer Reporter

(Long Point, Nevis) – In response to the growing concern about swine flu, Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Department Lester Blackett and the Federation’s Chief Medical Officer Patrick Martin held a press conference to help slow the sense of panic setting in worldwide.

“There have been no reported cases in any OECS state and there is no reason to panic,” said Dr. Martin.

The recent outbreak in Mexico has spread to other countries around the world, but the number of cases actually confirmed to be H1N1 swine flu is rare and isolated, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Technically, the virus is not airborne, but spreads but droplets of body fluids expelled by coughing and/or sneezing.

Dr. Martin outlined a number of facts about the virus:

*Swine Flu is an Influenza type A virus classified H1N1 (H5N1 is bird flu) according to its genetic composition. The virus contains of genes from birds, pigs and humans.

* International travel is causing cross-border spread.

*The Swine Flu virus is spread from person-to-person by coughing and sneezing. Species jump from pigs to humans and humans to pigs occurs via contact with droplets from the noses and mouth of infected pigs and persons. There is no spread via water or food.

*Symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to Seasonal Influenza that normally occurs every year. Affected persons may experience fever, severe cough, difficulty breathing and weakness indicating an infection of the lower windpipes and the lungs.

*“Common Cold” is often confused with and called “the Flu”. Common Cold is caused by many viruses that are not influenza. Symptoms of Common Cold include mild fever, runny nose, stuffy nose, throat ache and cough. Common Cold viruses do not affect the lungs therefore there is no difficulty breathing.

“The World Health Organization has declared that Swine Flu has pandemic potential meaning that global spread is possible and all countries have been alerted,” said Dr. Martin. “The Health Sector of St. Kitts and Nevis is part of the global network. Personnel and supplies have been mobilized and placed on an advanced stage of readiness. To limit the entry of Swine Flu, surveillance has been increased at all official ports of entry – air and sea. A passenger check is in place. Captains of aircraft and ships are required to report the presence of sick passengers and crew to the Port Health officer. Sick travelers are issued specific instructions to prevent their contact with the general public.”

Surveillance has also been stepped up in Community Health Centers, Emergency Rooms and Private Doctor Offices. In the event of a case, practitioners will follow case treatment guidance and file a report to the Ministry of Health via existing case notification channels, he said.

Generally, the surveillance approach to Swine Flu is identical to that which applied to SARS and Dengue Fever. The Ministry of Health is in constant contact with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) which is the hemispheric arm of WHO. PAHO has a Rapid Response Team mobilized as well as stockpiles of supplies. The local medication needs have been calculated based on an assessment of a worst case scenario. The need has been communicated to PAHO, the Doctor said.

“There is good news,” he said. “Person to person transmission can be avoided by simple hygiene. When coughing and sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with an absorbent tissue or their hands, then place the tissue in a trash receptacle, and wash the hands and face with soap and water, then dry the hands and face with a dry towel. These are things we should do anyway. This is not rocket science.”

Local health care facilities are not big enough to handle a rush of people suspecting they may have swine flu.

“There is no need for every person with fever to rush to hospital of clinic. Persons with uncomplicated fever and cough may be successfully managed at home with rest, fluids, nutritious food and Paracetamol. Health Center staff or personal physicians may be called via telephone for guidance,” he said.

Persons with flu symptoms who appear to be weak, lethargic or who are having distressed breathing should seek medical attention, not everyone with an itch in their nose, he said.

Flu shots for swine flu are not yet available in the Federation, but efforts to acquire some have been mobilized. The monitoring of ports of entry has been heightened, but there are not enough port health officers to cover the load, said Dr. Martin. Ferry operators and airline pilots are on the lookout for anyone who may be exhibiting symptoms and there are signs on the boats and at the airport asking passengers to report if they are experiencing any symptoms.

Dr. Martin pointed out that the best defense against the flu is healthy lifestyle choices such as plenty of rest, exercise, hydration and nutritious foods such as locally grown vegetables, all of which helps to boost the body’s immune system.

He also said no one should be afraid of eating local pork.