Statement from NAD on Swine Flu

 

 

The Bahamas Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the international Swine Flu outbreak. The Nassau Airport Development Company is working with the Ministry to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and employees at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. 

 

Human cases of the Swine Flu have been reported in Mexico, in certain areas of the United States of America and other parts of the world. To date, there are no reported cases of the Swine Flu in The Bahamas.

 

For more information, please contact the Bahamas Ministry of Health’s hotline at 502-4790.

 

Latest press release from the Ministry of Health:

 

PRESS STATEMENT – SWINE FLU

THE HON. DR. HUBERT MINNIS, MP

MINISTRY OF HEALTH, CONFERENCE ROOM

26^TH APRIL, 2009

 

THERE HAVE BEEN NO IDENTIFIED CASES OF SWINE FLU TO DATE IN THE BAHAMAS.  THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS AND THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IS FULLY PREPARED TO DEAL WITH CASES OF INFLUENZA A H1N1.  THE BAHAMAS HAS BEEN PREPARING FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC.

 

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC HOSPITALS AUTHORITY, DOCTORS HOSPITAL AND RELATED GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND AGENCIES HAVE ALL 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 A H1N1.  WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE MEANS TO LIMIT ITS SPREAD, SHOULD ANY CASE OR CASES BE IDENTIFIED.  WE ARE ALSO MONITORING THE HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COME TO THE BAHAMAS VIA PORT HEALTH SURVEILLANCE MEASURES.

 

CLOSE MONITORING OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESS PRIMARILY OCCURRING IN YOUNG ADULTS WILL ASSIST WITH EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND EARLY NOTIFICATION OF SWINE INFLUENZA, WHICH WOULD ALLOW US TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND APPROPRIATELY.

 

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONTINUES TO MONITOR VERY CLOSELY PIG FARMS AND GROWERS OF PIGS THROUGHOUT THE ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS.  YOU ARE REMINDED THAT HUMANS ARE NOT INFECTED WITH SWINE INFLUENZA THROUGH EATING PROPERLY COOKED PORK AND PORK PRODUCTS.

 

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH ITS DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS.  THE PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION (PAHO) IS SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL EFFORTS. 

 

DAILY MEETINGS ARE BEING HELD AT THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH WITH REPORTS BEING UPDATED BY HEALTH OFFICIALS.

 

IN ADDITION, A TRACKING SYSTEM WILL BE PUT IN PLACE TO IDENTIFY PERSONS   WHO VISIT STATES AND COUNTRIES WITH CONFIRMED CASES OF SWINE INFLUENZA.

 

I WOULD LIKE TO ADVISE THE RESIDENTS OF THE BAHAMAS TO EXERCISE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY: THAT INCLUDES GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES; SUCH AS REGULAR HAND WASHING WITH SOAP AND WATER, PROPER RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE; SUCH AS COVERING YOUR COUGH AND SNEEZE WITH A TISSUE.  THESE WILL PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INFLUENZA.

 

ALSO, WE WISH TO ADVISE THAT IF YOU ARE SICK; AVOID CONTACT WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND OFFICE STAFF.  DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS WHERE THERE ARE LARGE GATHERINGS.

 

WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND TRAVEL WARNINGS AND PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES AS THE SITUATION DEVELOPS.

 

QUESTIONS MAY BE REFERRED TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, SURVEILLANCE UNIT AT 502-4790.