Health alert on swine flu but no travel, pork bans yet

[B]By HAIDEE V. EUGENIO and MONETH DEPOSA[/B] [I]haidee_eugenio@saipantribune.com
moneth_deposa@saipantribune.com
REPORTERS
[/I] The Department of Public Health issued yesterday a health alert on swine influenza or swine flu, which has so far killed 103 in Mexico and 20 cases have been confirmed in the United States and six in Canada.

“If you get sick, especially if you develop a flu-like illness, avoid or limit contact with others and report to the hospital for immediate medical care. Be sure to tell them right away that you might have the flu,” Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said in a two-page health alert.

But as of yesterday, there’s no temporary ban on pork products from the United States or restrictions on travel, deputy secretary for hospital administrator Pete Untalan and Quarantine director Richard Seman told Saipan Tribune separately.

“Right now, we elevated surveillance at the hospital, tightened testing, and monitor for advisories and pass them on to other agencies,” said Untalan, who is also the director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

[B]Business as usual[/B]

It’s business as usual at the Saipan International Airport, according to Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Efrain F. Camacho, who said they have not implemented any significant changes to their operation as of yesterday noon.

Camacho said his office has not received either a notice of warning nor specific instructions from federal authorities in relation to the swine-flu issue.

“I haven’t seen any notice of warning [for our airports] from any federal agency. CPA cannot implement such orders or changes without actually receiving a formal alert notice from authorities and concerned agencies,” he told Saipan Tribune, adding that he has yet to receive any advisories restricting travel to other destinations.

However, Camacho disclosed that CPA has been called to an emergency meeting today at the Department of Public Health. He believes the health department should spearhead the planning for such action.

He said an action plan for the CNMI may be cleared after today’s meeting.

Saipan seaport manager MaryAnn Q. Lizama said the ports are also operating without any delay relating to a specific notice or warning regarding shipments that may carry the virus.

[B]Flu-like symptoms[/B]

Despite the name swine influenza, this is a disease that is spread from person to person, like the regular flu.

The infection causes a flu-like severe respiratory disease, with fever and cough, and may lead to difficulty breathing and even death.

Other symptoms may include sneezing, body aches, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and tiredness.

Villagomez said those who recently traveled to an affected area and develop symptoms within seven days since they left the affected area should seek medical care immediately and let hospital staff know about their travel history.

Mexico, the United States and Canada have reported outbreaks of swine flu.

The health secretary also said any unusual number of flu-like illnesses in the community should be reported to the Department of Public Health.

[B]Protecting yourself[/B]

Swine flu is spread from person to person through touching, coughing, sneezing or talking while you are sick. Thus, it is important to observe the following:

-Wash your hands frequently with soap and water

– Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze

– Wear a mask if you are sick

– Avoid close contact with sick people, including standing closer than 6 feet, touching, kissing and hugging.

““If you think you have the flu, don’t report for work, stay home, and see a doctor. If your child has a flu, don’t let him or her go to school to prevent spreading it to other children,” said Untalan in a phone interview.

Public Health said there are medicines that can help fight the infection, but they only work if given quickly and are only available from a doctor, so one must seek care right away.

There is no vaccine for this disease yet. Authorities are working to develop a vaccine as quickly as possible, the department added.

[B]Safe to eat pork[/B]

Public Health said it is safe to eat pork because swine flu is not spread by pork meat.

“Pork that is handled properly and cooked thoroughly is safe to eat,” the department said.

Quarantine director Richard Seman said there is no ban on pork from the United States at this time.

Yesterday, the Philippines imposed a temporary ban on the entry of pork from Mexico and the United States in the wake of a swine flu outbreak in these countries.

Health officials around the world worked to contain what appears to be a spreading swine flu outbreak early Monday, while one out of every five residents of Mexico’s most populous city wore masks to protect themselves against the virus, CNN reports.

In Mexico, as many as 103 deaths are thought to have been caused by swine flu, the country’s health minister said. An additional 1,614 reported cases have been reported in the country but only 18 cases have so far been confirmed by laboratory tests and reported to the World Health Organization.

The United States stepped up preparations for a possible epidemic of the virus after 20 cases were confirmed, and Canada announced its first cases of the virus Sunday — six mild cases.

The H1N1 strain of swine flu is usually associated with pigs. When the flu spreads person-to-person, instead of from animals to humans, it can continue to mutate, making it harder to treat or fight off.

What worries officials is that a new strain can spread fast because people do not have natural immunity and vaccines can take months to develop. [B][I](With AP)
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