Surveillance heightened at health institutions and ports of entry.

GOVERNMENT officials have heightened surveillance atthe country's health institutions to identify persons carrying the potentially deadly swine flu virus, which has already killed at least 88 persons in Mexico and infected about 20 persons in the United States. At a press conference held at the inistry of Health yesterday, officials said they are also monitoring the health of persons entering the country through ports of entry surveillance measures. At last report, there were no reported cases of the swine flu in the Bahamas.

Speaking to The Bahamas Tribune after the press conference, Heath Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said coincidentally two weeks ago his ministry launched a pandemic drill as if the country had been affected with a dangerous flu outbreak. This was done to iron out any kinks in the system as opposed to being hit with a deadly strain off guard, he said.

Local health officials said the country is fully prepared to handle any possible infections as the
Ministry of Health, Department of Public Health, the Public Hospital's Authority, Doctor's Hospital
and other related agencies have already activated their preparedness plans. "There is heightened surveillance at all health institutions to identify any potential cases or clusters of individuals who might be affected with this new strain of influenza H1N1," said Dr Minnis.

"We have put in place means to limit its spread, should any case or cases be identified." He added that the close monitoring of persons with respiratory illnesses — primarily in persons between the ages of 15 to 45 — will assist in the early detection and early notification of the swine flu.

Director of Public Health Dr Pearl Macmillan said local customs and immigration officers will continue port health surveillance measures at all ports of entry in collaboration with international health regulations.

"If for any reason they are signalled that there is a health issue, they will then contact a health officer through an on-call port health system — that system is a 24-hour system that is in place," Dr
Macmillan said.

The Ministry of Tourism will be posting warnings and notices throughout ports of entry to inform travellers about the potential threat, Dr Minnis said, adding that travellers visiting the US
and other affected countries will be tracked.

What is swine flu?

Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around
pigs, but it’s also possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person.