The recent outbreak of swine influenza has put the world on a health alert. Since the disease emerged in Mexico less than a fortnight ago, the flue has been reported in the US, Europe, Asia as well as New Zealand and Australia. So far, 148 laboratories confirmed cases in 9 countries including the US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, UK, Israel and Spain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the swine flu outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. It has further raised the alert level of influenza pandemic from 4 to 5 (human to human spread of a new influenza virus).

The declaration of level 5 indicates that a pandemic is imminent and that time to finalize the organization, communication and implementation of planned mitigation measures is short.

As for Rwanda, although no cases have been detected yet, the ministry of health takes the disease seriously.

According to Dr. Richard Sezibera, the Health Minister, surveillance sites have been established by TRAC Plus and the national reference laboratory in four hospitals around the country, which are Kibagabaga, Gihundwe and Kibungo hospitals as well as Kigali central hospital (CHK). Two new sites will be set up soon in Ruhengeri hospital and CHU to ensure that there is at least a sentinel site per province.

Moreover, testing facilities have been established at the airport. Instructions and guidelines have been sent to these locations as well as other hospitals and health centers.

Rapid response teams comprised of medical doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians at the sites have been organized. “The sites have the necessary equipments to undertake surveillance of all highly infectious viral diseases including swine flu and all viral hemorrhagic fevers,” Minister Sezibera indicated.

He further added that the personal protective gear and transport material for specimens are available at the central level, sentinel sites and other required will be made available through CAMERWA. The government is also examining, together with the WHO, how the necessary drugs for treatment can be brought into the country as quickly as possible.

At the same time, the ministry of health is working with the ministry of agriculture and RARDA for surveillance of swine flu in animals.

Dr. Sezibera however refuted as baseless suggestions that pigs should be culled and people stop eating pork. “So far, no pig in the country has been found with the flu. What is important is that pork should be eaten when it has been cooked properly, otherwise it can cause numerous diseases apart from swine flu,” Sezibera advised.

The swine flu virus belongs to a new subtype H1N1 not previously detected in pigs or human. Its most common symptoms are fever, cough, headache, diarrhea and vomiting.

The ministry of health has established hotline numbers 3334 and 3335 for any questions and concerns by the public.