Three people in Bangladesh have been infected with the H1N1 flu virus, which causes the potentially fatal Swine Flu, the head of one of the country’s top epidemiological research institutes said yesterday.
Mahmudur Rahman, the director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), added: “We have sufficient vaccines and the necessary support to fight Swine Flu.”
The infections were detected in February, he said, adding that there was no need to fear a Swine Flu epidemic.
The head of the IEDCR was speaking at a workshop titled “Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu): Global and Bangladesh Situation” held yesterday at the IEDCR auditorium in the capital.
“We have already formed a technical committee and drugs have been stockpiled with the government and the World Health Organization (WHO),” he said.
“Twenty-five infra-red thermometers have been supplied and are being used. In addition, seven thermal scanners have been set up at selected points of entry,” he added.
He said pregnant women, older people, children, and those with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma were at higher risk of infection with seasonal influenza as well as Swine Flu.
He urged the public to be cautious about influenza, suggesting the use of handkerchiefs and tissues when coughing or sneezing, washing hands regularly and getting proper rest if suffering from a fever or seasonal influenza.
He suggested that patients suffering from both asthma attacks and a fever seek medical attention.
Bangladesh has put its health offices on high alert over H1N1 following an outbreak of the disease in neighbouring India.
Swine Flu has killed eight people in Bangladesh since it was detected in 2009.
For information on the symptoms of the disease and precautions that can be taken, have a look at the table attached to this story on www.dhakatribune.com.
