GREAT BAY,– On Saturday, the Preventive Health Department (PHD) received confirmation that the island now has its 13th and 14th confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) virus.
It’s a six-year-old boy who is part of the family circle that recently took a cruise to Cozumel starting from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His parents were the 11th and 12th cases to be confirmed with H1N1 flu virus.
The second person is a 20-year-old female tourist who arrived on the island from Miami, Florida on July 17. She also traveled to New York. Both persons have been treated with anti-viral medications.
The PHD is urging those who travel abroad on vacation or for business, and return with a flu-like-illness to remain at home and contact their family physician immediately. They should not engage in any community activities such as working, shopping or participating in any mass/social activities. This would limit the risk of community spread.
This will help minimize the risk of infecting those around you, especially people who are at a higher risk of severe illness and complications from influenza.
Persons who develop flu-like symptoms a week after returning from a vacation abroad should take the same recommended action as noted above.
Tourists are hereby advised if they develop a flu-like illness while vacationing on the island, to contact the PHD immediately.
The severity of the disease at this point in time remains relatively mild. In the past all confirmed cases have recovered fully.
The symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with the virus.
Persons seeking additional information should contact PHD at telephone numbers: 542-3003 or 542-3553 or visit the following websites: www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.who.int. for more information on Influenza A(H1N1) virus also referred to as swine flu.