Ministry of Health promotes prevention during flu season
It’s the regular flu season, but this year the population is on edge because of the H1N1 scare. Hundreds of students have been sent home since classes began. It is believed that the influenza started from the north and is moving across the country. But the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of education are on alert. Officials of the Health Centers met today in Belize City and are collaborating with schools to promote prevention. The ministry of health maintains that the situation is manageable
Melinda Guerra, Acting Regional Manager, Central Health Region
“Some of the symptoms that some of the students are presenting symptoms that are similar and could be confused with those of dengue fever, headache and so we are telling you okay if you have to take any medication, avoid taking aspirin because if you have dengue hemorrhagic you can complicate the condition. Also we’re discouraging the use of antibiotics because it can actually complicate the end result of the condition. This flu started in the northern part of the country, then it came over to the cayes and then to the city—Belize City rural areas—and now it’s moving on to the west. We heard about Sacred Heart College. Also a few cases in the north, it’s contained, it’s not widespread. Belize District is still experiencing most of the cases. A few cases I think were reported down south but nothing alarming. It’s very manageable.”
Delahnie Bain
“And if these numbers should continue to rise, are our health centers and hospitals equipped to handle the increase in patients?”
Melinda Guerra
“We are equipped. I think Belize City is actually just getting over it because we had quite a number of cases over the past few weeks. The cases are manageable; most of the cases are mild flu like symptoms. The population does not have immunity for this new virus, the H1N1 so gradually people will come in contact with the virus and then eventually your body is going to develop this natural immunity to fight the infection that we call Herd Immunity.”
Only four persons have been hospitalized so far with severe flu symptoms.
