Officials from the Ministry of Health have sought to assure the nation that measures have been implemented to ensure that the country is able to respond effectively to any cases of swine flu that may develop locally.

The ministry, in a release issued yesterday, said it has been on alert following the outbreak of the disease in Mexico and its subsequent spread to the United States, Canada and parts of Europe. The release said that the ministry was monitoring reports from the international health organisations and from the Mexican and American authorities.

Swine flu is a respiratory illness that is caused by the Influenza A virus. It is transmitted from infected pigs and also by human-to-human contact. The symptoms include fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache and body aches and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea may also be experienced.

general guidelines

The disease has not been shown to be transmittable through eating properly handled and prepared pork or other products derived from pigs. The virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160 degrees fahrenheit or 70 degrees celsius, which corresponds to the general guidelines for the preparation of pork and other meat.

Dr Sheila Campbell Forrester, chief medical officer, advised persons with flu-like symptoms to stay home. She said, "Children with fever should not be sent to day care or school, and adults with fever should not go to work until the fever is cleared up. If anyone experiences severe illness resulting from the flu, they are to visit their doctor or the nearest health facility immediately."

Persons are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to prevent an onset of the influenza virus. These are:

1. Frequent hand-washing with soap and water.

2. Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

3. Avoid contact with persons with flu-like symptoms.

4. Avoid intimate contact, including hand-shaking and kissing.

Anyone travelling to the countries mentioned above, should avoid visits to pig and poultry farms as well as bird sanctuaries and take the necessary precautionary measures. The ministry has promised regular updates and is urging everyone to remain calm.