Can Africa cope with a pandemic?

[FrenchieGirl]

[Opinion article]

Swine flu alert: Can Africa cope with a pandemic?

The whole world is on alert

The swine flu virus appeared Saturday in Mexico and has already killed nearly 150 people. The spread is fast and dangerous. Only three days after being detected, suspected cases have been discovered in the United States, Canada, Spain, Great Britain, China ... On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its alert level to 4 on a scale of 6, which corresponds to a high pandemic risk. For the moment Africa appears not to be affected, but the continent is highly vulnerable, says the UN.

Tuesday 28 April 2009, by St?phane Ballong

"No region in the world is safe" from the swine flu virus, declared the World Health Organization (WHO) as it raised its alert level to 4 on a scale of 6. This indicates a "significant increase in the risk of a pandemic." Major tourist destinations in Africa are particularly exposed to this risk. In a statement released Monday, Michele Montas, spokeswoman for Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, said that poor African countries are particularly vulnerable. According to her, after multiple crises that have beset the world in recent times, namely; food, energy, economic and financial ... the UN must "ensure that they (African countries that are hardest hit by the seies of crises) are not disproportionately affected by a potential health crisis. The World Bank, development agencies and humanitarian assistance of the United Nations are ready, she says, to make funds available to countries that need to combat the epidemic.

Fever detectors at Moroccan airports

A few African countries have already announced precautionary measures. In Morocco, close to Spain, where the first European case of the disease has been reported, the Ministry of Health has stated that provisions against the introduction of A/H1N1 viruses on its territory have been made. A device already in place since 2005 has been reactivated. An earlier plan to combat an outbreak of the avian flu is still pertinent in the fight against the swine flu, according to the authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco. The main measures concerned, basically, involve the strengthening of health checks at land borders, ports and airports. Fever detecting cameras have also been installed at airports. Epidemiological surveillance, both clinical and biological, of the common flu and acute respiratory infections has also been strengthened.

In Algeria, Ghana and Togo, health authorities on Monday said they were closely observing the development of the disease and have increased health checks. Although the African media has loudly sounded the alarming and rapid spread of the virus around the world as well as the alert given by the World Health Organization (WHO), most African states have remained silent in the face of a looming health catastrophe.

Adhering to the rules of basic hygiene

The disease, which appeared in Mexico April 24 and has already caused an estimated 150 deaths among thousands of cases, is spreading like wild fire the world over. Known or suspected cases have been detected in the United States, Canada, Spain, Australia, Israel, China ... The disease, type A flu virus H1N1 is transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route. Last Sunday the WHO described the new virus as subtype A/H1N1 that has never been previously detected in pigs or humans.

The symptoms of the swine influenza are similar to those of ordinary seasonal flus. They are characterized by fevers, headaches, aching muscles... According to the World health organization, the virus responsible for recent human cases of swine influenza responds to oselatmivir molecules (marketed as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (whose trade name is Relenza). To be effective, Tamiflu must be taken no later than 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, indicated the manufacturing laboratory, Roche.

Several other laboratories indicate that the first doses of a vaccine will only be available in 4 months. But this time limit remains to be confirmed in relation to the characteristics of the virus. In the meantime, health professionals strongly recommend that basic hygiene rules (washing of hands, avoiding physical contact ...) be strictly adhered to.

According to the WHO, which announced the dangers surrounding the spread of the virus, the AH1N1 flu pandemic can be avoided.

[Shiloh]

Re: Can Africa cope with a pandemic?

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150719.php

Africa Continues To Strengthen Capacity To Deal With A/H1N1
Article Date: 20 May 2009 - 3:00 PDT


African countries, with the support of WHO and other development partners, are continuously strengthening their general capacity to deal with cases of Influenza A/H1N1 virus if an outbreak occurs in the region.

All countries in the Region now have in place revised or updated contingency and emergency preparedness and response plans; all have also set up A/H1N1 emergency or crisis management committees or commissions or Task Forces, and all are enhancing surveillance to enable early detection, laboratory confirmation of cases and rapid response, according to reports received on Friday by the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

The reports, from Member States, indicate that as at 14 May, all countries in the Region had taken delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Also, more than one million doses of Tamiflu had been delivered to 42 out of the 46 Members States. The remaining four countries are expected to take delivery of 14,000 doses of Tamiflu by 17 May.

Shipments of the PPE and Tamiflu to countries were made by both the Africa Regional Office of WHO and WHO Headquarters. Some quantities of both items were also delivered to the WHO Inter Country Support Teams based in Harare, Libreville and Ouagadougou which have set up crisis management committees to support countries in their areas of coverage.

The A/H1N1 Crisis Management Team set up in April by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, is in permanent contact with all 46 countries in the Region which now provide daily reports on the A/H1N1 situation to the Regional Office.

As at 18:00 GMT on 14 May, 7, 457 cases of A/H1N1 had been reported in 34 countries worldwide with 65 deaths: 60 in Mexico, three in USA, one in Canada and one in Costa Rica.

No A/H1N1 cases have so far been confirmed in Africa, although 25 suspected cases have been reported in nine countries. Twelve of these have tested negative, while the remaining are still being investigated.

Source
WHO