Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

Tuesday, 28 December 2010 04:39 .THE flu outbreak hit hard in Lata township in Temotu Province, preventing most of the people from celebrating Christmas on Saturday.

A nurse at Lata Hospital, Hanna Muye said the outpatient section was flooded with children, women and men during the Christmas period.

She said nurses were busy throughout the day and night to deal with the patients.

"We had to take shifts because of more patients coming in for treatment," she said.

"Luckily we didn't lose anyone."

Ms Muye said the flu outbreak started when the passenger ship, MV Ortega arrived from Honiara last week.

"The flu came from Honiara and not here," she said.

Honiara City health director Dr Henry Kako told the Solomon Star last week that doctors did not know the diagnosis for the influenza going around.

“However we can confirm that it is not that severe," he said.

“The symptoms include; headache, running nose, chest pain, body pain, fever and a rise in temperature- when you have these symptoms it is best that you seek medical assistance at the nearest hospital. 


“One can easily contract the flu, especially during such time when there’s a lot of travelling from Honiara to the provinces and also people coming back,” he said.


Dr Kako said the best possible precautions were to avoid crowded and dusty areas such as markets, or avoid sharing food such as ice-blocks, and chewing the same mustard (fruit leaf) or lime.


He said that the best possible cure for the flu was to drink lots of fluids and also see the clinics for antibiotics or other prescriptions.


“Drink lots of fresh water, not water that is too cold or icy or coconut juice,” Dr Kako said.


“Your body needs lots of because as you have such illness, your body dehydrates therefore you need lots of fluid to re-hydrate yourself.”


He said that it was also good that whenever one is down with the flu, he or she should also get checked for malaria or pneumonia.


“During such rainy and wet season, people especially children are vulnerable to such disease or illnesses.


“It is best that kids remain with you in the house at all times,” Dr Kako said.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Honiara City health director Dr Henry Kako told the Solomon Star last week that doctors did not know the diagnosis for the influenza going around.

“However we can confirm that it is not that severe," he said.

Five Solomon Island athletes have been admitted at the National Referral hospital after contracting a viral infection in New Caledonia during the Pacific Games.
Tue, 13 Sep 2011

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (SIBC) --- Five Solomon Island athletes have been admitted at the National Referral hospital after contracting a viral infection in New Caledonia during the Pacific Games.

Undersecretary for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Chairman of the Pandemic Task force Committee, Dr Cedric Alependava says the five people were admitted after the task force launched a response plan on last Thursday, screening all the passengers on board flights from New Caledonia.

Dr Alependava says one of the five people had displayed symptoms of influenza A or swine flu but is yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile the Health under Secretary has urged returning athletes to seek medical advice if they think they are infected with the influenza.

He also assured the public that the Pandemic Task force and its stakeholders are confident of containing any outbreak of the Swine flu virus if it is confirmed.