Second wave of H1N1 sickens mostly the youth

When the Influenza A (H1N1) was identified to be a new flu strain, it caused severe respiratory illnesses to those unlucky individuals who caught the virus. The Director of Health Services, Dr. Michael Pitts, said in August that there would be a second wave of the virus and according to a government release: the second wave is upon us. But this time, the flu has changed and the symptoms are mild and similar to that of the regular flu. Since the country is now in its regular flu season it is hard to distinguish between the two strains. Pitts said the strategy, this time around, is to test only those individuals who experience severe respiratory illness, while medical officers would treat mild cases symptomatically.

The government statement also says that Belize has only thirty six laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1. In addition the release points out that there is an increase in individuals catching coughs and colds, and it has been most noticeable among primary and high school students in the Corozal, Cayo and Belize Districts. In addition to taking the necessary precautions such as washing your hands and avoiding contact with sick persons, health officials are urging individuals to stay at home for at least seven days after symptoms begin to show or until they have stopped experiencing symptoms for at least twenty four hours.