9 Cases of Swine Flu Confirmed in Jamaica
Swine flu, also called pig influenza, hog flu and pig flu, is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses.
As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H2N1, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
According to the Observer, Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, Dr Winston De La Haye has confirmed that nine cases of the H1N1 influenza virus are currently being treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in Kingston.
Dr De La Haye revealed that the confirmed cases are not from any particular geographic area, and that the cases include referrals from other parishes.
“It is a tertiary referral hospital so you have cases which may be a little more severe than others, normally they would be referred to somewhere like the University Hospital,” he said.
On Monday, H1N1 influenza virus was adjusted to a class one reporting index, which means a report must be made within 24 hours if a patient is suspected to have contracted the virus.
Around the world, young people are most severely affected by H1N1.
Persons are being encouraged to visit their physician is they have cold or flu like symptoms that are becoming severe.
Source: The Observer, wikipedia
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