The pandemic Influenza A (H1N1), commonly known as swine flu, has broken out at Fatima Girls Secondary School in Ndola on the Copperbelt, the Ministry of Health has announced.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Kamoto Mbewe said in a statement in Lusaka on April 1 that some pupils were taken ill after being attacked by the H1N1 influenza.
He said 10 specimens were taken for laboratory investigation, of which eight have tested positive for the virus.
Dr Mbewe said all the girls are in stable condition and district and provincial health offices are putting in place measures to ensure that no more cases are recorded.
The signs and symptoms of swine flu include fever, a cough, sneezing, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Dr Mbewe said members of the public who experience any of these symptoms must report to the nearest health centre immediately.
To prevent the spread of the disease, members of the public should wash their hands frequently with soap and water, cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, avoid touching eyes, noses or mouths and minimise close contact with people who are suffering from flu.
[ Zambia Daily mail ]
Iliko bad. Hope all is being done to cushion the spread of this terrible agent of hades
That school has to be closed until an all clear is given otherwise if willl spread and there will be a lot of death
There is only a week left before the term ends. I believe authorities should close the school
It is actually a pity that schools are about to close because the pupils will spread the disease as they go for theie holidays to various parts of the country. Anyway, we wish them a quick recovery and pray that the spread of the disease will be curbed in the quickest possible time.
Those advocating for closure of the school, are you thinking properly? The pupils should not be allowed to leave the school to contain the spreading of the virus.
I think all the pupils of that school should be isolated to ensure that there is no more infections to go around the country. And in fact all the pupils should be screen for the virus before they leave school.
On “Ministry of Health spokesperson Kamoto Mbewe said in a statement in Lusaka on April 1 that some pupils were taken ill after being attacked by the H1N1 influenza… said 10 specimens were taken for laboratory investigation, of which eight have tested positive for the virus” this is sad and I hope the disease will be contained by the Health Service providers in Zambia.
Quick recovery to the girls who have the virus and I hope the will not deliberately transfer the disease to others.
Be blest and vote for HH and UPND to form GRZ Administration this 2011.
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Matt 6:33