Swine flu checks continue
Thursday 30:
Health authorities have advised that there are no reported human cases of swine influenza identified in the Cook Islands, but it is continuing intensified surveillance for unusual influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia at our borders.
?This includes an in-flight announcement on all in-bound flights to Rarotonga to screen for passengers who may be unwell or have any concerns.
Passengers with any health concerns are encouraged to make themselves known to our health protection team at the airport terminal,? says director of community health services Dr Josephine Herman.
?All passengers will be provided up-to-date information on international developments, measures to protect themselves, and contact details for health services in the Cook Islands should they be required.?
Director of hospital health services Heather Webber-Aitu confirmed that one arriving passenger at the airport went through further screening this week. The man who came off the Pacific Blue flight had been in one of the affected countries and had a cough.
The ministry of health found he did not have swine flu but had asked him to stay at his accommodation while it completed its screening process with a checkup 24 hours later.
Webber-Aitu says arriving passengers are asked two screening questions ? whether they were in an affected area within the past two weeks and if they have symptoms or are feeling unwell. If they answer yes to both of these, a doctor at the airport sees them straight away to expand on the screening.
Under the International Health Regulations (2005), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern in response to human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1, reported in Mexico and the United States of America.
More countries are now reporting confirmed cases including New Zealand where there is a reported further 179 suspected cases. - HG
Thursday 30:
Health authorities have advised that there are no reported human cases of swine influenza identified in the Cook Islands, but it is continuing intensified surveillance for unusual influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia at our borders.
?This includes an in-flight announcement on all in-bound flights to Rarotonga to screen for passengers who may be unwell or have any concerns.
Passengers with any health concerns are encouraged to make themselves known to our health protection team at the airport terminal,? says director of community health services Dr Josephine Herman.
?All passengers will be provided up-to-date information on international developments, measures to protect themselves, and contact details for health services in the Cook Islands should they be required.?
Director of hospital health services Heather Webber-Aitu confirmed that one arriving passenger at the airport went through further screening this week. The man who came off the Pacific Blue flight had been in one of the affected countries and had a cough.
The ministry of health found he did not have swine flu but had asked him to stay at his accommodation while it completed its screening process with a checkup 24 hours later.
Webber-Aitu says arriving passengers are asked two screening questions ? whether they were in an affected area within the past two weeks and if they have symptoms or are feeling unwell. If they answer yes to both of these, a doctor at the airport sees them straight away to expand on the screening.
Under the International Health Regulations (2005), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern in response to human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1, reported in Mexico and the United States of America.
More countries are now reporting confirmed cases including New Zealand where there is a reported further 179 suspected cases. - HG
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