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APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) At least one person has died from a suspected outbreak of the deadly H1N1 or swine flu virus that has so far infected more than 2,000 people in Tsholotsho district, the west of Zimbabwe, APA learns here Friday.

Health officials expressed concern at the rapid increase in suspected swine flu cases in Tsholotsho district close to Zimbabwe’s border with Botswana.

Suspected cases have jumped nearly seven-fold from about 300 at the beginning of October to more than 2,000 this week.

A previous swine flu outbreak claimed more than 40 lives in 2009 and affected more than 300 people.

The flu that alarmed the world when the first cases were detected in Mexico in April 2009 before quickly spreading to other parts of the world has claimed hundreds of lives to date.

Zimbabwe recorded its first confirmed cases of swine flu in August 2009 at a school in east of the country.

Quick action by the then newly formed unity government of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the University of Zimbabwe and the World Health Organisation (WHO) helped prevent a major epidemic in the country.

HARARE, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's capital Harare has recorded its first confirmed case of influenza A/ H1N1 and six suspected others since a fresh outbreak of the viral flu broke out in north western parts of the country mid last month.

Of the six suspected cases in Harare, one has tested positive to the deadly influenza bringing to 16 the total number of confirmed cases from the outbreak, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday.

"So far 16 people have tested positive to H1N1 after undergoing rapid diagnostic testing," Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Douglas Mombeshora was quoted as saying by the State-run broadcaster.
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According to the news report, five of the country's 10 provinces, including Harare, have recorded 15, 453 suspected cases of the deadly influenza by Friday last week.

So far Matabeleland North Province has the highest number of suspected cases at 14, 182, of which 8 have tested positive, followed by Matabeleland South which has recorded 1, 160 and 7 positive results.

In Masvingo, 105 suspected cases have been reported, but the results have not yet been released, while Harare has the lowest number with 6 suspected cases and one positive result.
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Bulawayo — THE Ministry of Health and Child Welfare is on high alert for further swine flu outbreaks amid reports that about 15 241 cases of H1N1 infections have been recorded countrywide from mid-October to date.

In an interview on Monday, head of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the ministry Dr Portia Manangazira said Government had enough drugs and equipment to curb the epidemic.

Matabeleland North has borne the brunt of the latest outbreak, with one reported death being attributed to the flu.

Dr Manangazira said: "We are on high alert for any further outbreaks and our teams are on the ground in all parts of the country to make sure that the epidemic is controlled.

"As of now the country has recorded 15 241 cases and most of these were in Matabeleland North Province, especially in Tsholotsho and parts of Gwanda, Beitbridge as well as Bulilima and Mangwe districts in Matabeleland South Province."

Last month in Tsholotsho, more than 300 people -- mostly school children -- were infected.

The outbreak resulted in a ban on public gatherings while some pupils could not write public examinations on time.

"As of now there are no new cases. However, we will keep our teams on the ground in case of further outbreaks," she said.

A suspected swine flu outbreak has been detected in the Ngomahuru area, about 30km west of Masvingo town, a senior health official has confirmed.

Provincial medical director in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Robert Mudyiradima said 191 cases of the H1N1 virus that causes the disease were detected at Ngomahuru Hospital early this week.

“A suspected swine flu outbreak has been recorded and 191 people were treated. Some were transferred to Masvingo General Hospital where they were treated and discharged,” said Mudyiradima.

He said medical specimens have been sent to South Africa to determine if it is the disease, although the symptoms made them believe it was indeed swine flu.

“We are still trying to verify if it is swine flu, although the symptoms suggest that. We have since sent some samples for tests to South Africa and we are yet to get the results.”

Symptoms of swine flu include fever, coughing, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Mudyiradima said no fatalities were recorded as the health authorities moved in swiftly to control further spread of the disease.

“No deaths were recorded as our health teams reacted fast to the outbreak. We managed to contain the disease and the situation is under control. We are however continuing with health education and our surveillance teams are still on the ground.”

Swine Flu Kills Two
Written by Radio VOP

Monday, 10 January 2011 17:28

Masvingo - A resurgent bout of swine flu also known as H1N1 virus, detected in Mushandike Resettlement area, a few kilometres out of Masvingo town along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway, has killed two people and left dozens hospitalised, a senior health official has confirmed.
Provincial Medical Director in the Ministry of Health, Dr Robert Mudyiradima said the outbreak, the second in less than two months, had been triggered by Zimbabweans working in other countries who had come for the Christmas holidays.
“There has been a resurgent outbreak of the disease, our tests confirmed. But we believe it is another bout as we eradicated the disease the last time we had an outbreak. “Two people, a child and elderly woman, have since died while others are quarantined at Masvingo General Hospital. We believe the disease was imported by Zimbabweans working in other countries who had come home for the festive season," Mudyiradima said.
The last swine flu outbreak was detected in the Ngomahuru area, about 30 kilometres west of Masvingo. Mudyiradima said the situation is under control as their health teams are camped in the area and will only leave after being satisfied that the disease is gone.