One of the main sources of Tourists to Tobago is now on high alert after 39 people died of the deadly swine flu virus within the last 3 months. Officials in the United Kingdom are reporting a massive outbreak of the H1N1, influenza B and H2N3 strains of the flu virus. Officials there are also reporting that the number of intensive care patients with suspected flu has risen dramatically in the past week to 738.
According to the ‘Daily Mail Online,’ “In some hospitals, half the adult intensive care beds are taken up by flu victims, leading to routine operations being cancelled.”
Despite these worrying statistics, Health Secretary Albert Pilgrim is reassuring Tobagonians that there is no need for panic. “We have a lot of things already in place so it is much easier. We are not waiting to react, we have been proactive and we have our surveillance unit that has been working, we have these things in place,” Pilgrim said.
In 2009 there was a swine flu outbreak in Tobago which caused panic in the population leading the Tobago Regional Health Authority to launch a massive public awareness campaign.
Health officials reported that no one in the island died as a result of the virus; however, several schools were shut down and the school term ended abruptly as a preventative measure.
The Health Secretary will remember this situation very well-he is nonetheless, placing his confidence in the system he heads. “I am confident that the staff of the TRHA and all involved can get these things in place quite quickly,” Pilgrim insisted. Despite this comfort, the Secretary will be aware that though London is 4,400 miles away, H1N1 could very well be knocking on our doorsteps.
He was adamant that the system employed during the last outbreak worked well and will be activated if necessary. It is not clear how many people in Tobago were affected by the deadly H1N1 virus during 2009 but several students were treated.
Meanwhile, in London, Health officials continue to struggle with swine flu. This winter is already being branded and one of the worse for the common flu and H1N1 is complicating the issue further. Officials also have another reason to be concerned; 15 of the victims so far did not fall in the ‘at risk’ category. Another victim was up to date with his flu vaccines.
According to health officials, no one in Tobago has tested positive or shown symptoms of swine flu since the outbreak began in the UK last year.
Article source: http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/Swine_Flu_making__a_comeback-113052314.html
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