Results of samples expected to confirm or deny cases of influenza A (H1N1)

The flu symptoms displayed by several individuals have prompted the health services to test affected persons for the deadly Influenza A H1N1 that has been causing health scares on most continents and also wreaking havoc on Mexico’s economy. On Monday and Tuesday local samples were sent via two different courier services to CAREC in Trinidad in order to confirm of eliminate suspicion of Influenza A H1N1. Those samples did not arrive on schedule, but Doctor Paul Edwards, Epidemiologist and Influenza Pandemic Focal Point says that early tomorrow morning the country will know whether or not it has its first case of the H1N1 virus.

Dr. Paul Edwards, Epidemiologist
“We had a conversation this afternoon with Dr. Salas from CAREC. She has said that she has received the samples, all of them that were sent, all that were sent in the last three days. Remember there is a turnaround time. As well as they are receiving samples from other countries. So she assured me that by tomorrow morning very early, we should have some results.”

Jose Sanchez
“Ok, let’s take a look at decisions made to reopen the free zone. It seemed that happened as some actual cases of Influenza A came into neighboring Chetumal or Calderitas. Why was the decision made to reopen the free zone? It seems early.”

Dr. Paul Edwards
“Well various factors were taken into account. Not only the confirmed cases in Chetumal. We have certainly worked very closely with our Mexican counter-parts and they as well today being Thursday, all secondary and universities are now opened but they have put specific measures in the place. The students who goes back they’re wearing mask and their sanitized ad I read this afternoon that they were actually two kids who signs and symptoms compatible with and they were sent back home. So specific measures are there, we are working with our counter-part as well as the fact that the little we’ve learned so quickly about this strain that is not as disease causing and we use the word virulence as we had anticipating before. They have decided on taking that process of returning back to normalcy and based on various factors including on what I said what they are doing, as well as the severity of the disease. It’s leveling off in Mexico as such although the numbers confirmed cases seems to increase but what is back logged and suck. We also recognize our people need to work as well for self sustenance so all of those factors were in there.”

Jose Sanchez
“Assuming that there are cases, or we would have cases in the northern districts, would that decision to keep the zone open be reevaluated?”

Dr. Paul Edwards
“Certainly so. As a team we meet on a daily basis. We look at all the factors the pertinent factors, and the unfolding outside of Belize as well as within Belize and if something of that sort we definitely get to the table quickly and try to readdress those issues. As we look back they were very good decisions. However we note that from the office of the Director of Health Services that we do not recommend public gatherings and we sent out a matrix and I’m certain that he (Dr. Michael Pitts) is going to emphasize that a bit more as we go to a press conference at nine.”