Swine flu: Nigeria listed among countries with capacity to diagnose infection(something positive)

The World Health Organisation has listed Nigeria as one of the countries with capacity in place to diagnose the Influenza A infections in humans.

Although Nigeria, like many countries on the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network, does not have enough National Influenza Centres, the world body said the country fulfilled certain criteria necessary to detect the influenza.

The criteria include countries that have scored 100 per cent in the last two or more of the WHO external quality assurance programme panels, and countries with a history of consistent correct results for earlier panels.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health signed by the Special Assistant (Communication) to the Minister, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, the Asokoro District Hospital National Diagnostic Laboratory in Abuja is one of the facilities recognised as having satisfied the prescribed criteria.

WHO had changed the name of the new influenza virus hitherto called Swine Flu to Influenza A last Thursday to avoid any misunderstanding of the nature of the influenza as it relates to pigs and pork meat. The A influenza is usually transmitted from humans to humans. But as at Sunday, there was no reported case of the infection in Nigeria.

The health ministry said there was no risk of infection of the virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.

It, therefore, advised people to regularly wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.

However, the ministry has advised people who are ill to delay international travels, asking those who may develop symptoms after international travels to seek medical attention immediately.

As at Sunday, 17 countries had officially reported 787 cases of influenza infection. Mexico has recorded 506 confirmed human cases of infection, including 19 deaths
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