Brazzaville, 24 June 2009 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo has urged countries in the region to be extra vigilant and strengthen their disease surveillance to ensure prompt detection and response to the Pandemic H1N1 2009.

The advice came following the confirmation of ten (10) cases of the new flu virus in five countries: Cape Verde, Algeria, Ethiopia and Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa where the first confirmed case of the virus was reported on 18 June 09.

All the confirmed cases are imported with the exception of one case in Algeria where the patient was in close contact with an imported case that was confirmed locally.

"Given the prevailing health challenges facing the region, it is vital that every effort is made to strengthen surveillance and treatment to limit spread of the disease. It is reassuring to note that all the cases so far have been promptly detected and confirmed by the surveillance system and laboratory facilities available locally or regionally", said Dr Sambo.

"Community sensitization and mobilization should be intensified as well as precautionary actions such as hand washing with soap and other protective measures. WHO will continue to support surveillance and strengthening of influenza laboratory facilities in all the countries of the Region to ensure rapid detection and investigation of pandemic H1N1 2009", he added.

On 11 June 2009, WHO raised the pandemic level to Phase 6 to reflect the fact that there were ongoing community level outbreaks in various parts of the world.
Globally as at 22/06/09, 99 countries have reported 52160 laboratory confirmed cases of the pandemic A H1N1 2009 virus with 231 deaths.

Consignments of antiviral (Tamiflu) drugs as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) have already been dispatched to each country in the African region to enable them respond rapidly to initial cases.

The symptoms of this novel virus typically include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, fatigue and body aches. People are reminded to seek immediate medical attention if they experience these symptoms especially those who have chronic medical problems.