Deadly influenza strain under control – Health Ministry

The influenza strain which is suspected to have killed three pregnant women 2 months ago has been fully investigated and is under control.

Health Ministry’s adviser for Communicable Diseases, Dr Mike Kama says that a taskforce was set up to investigate and control the deaths which occurred in the space of a month as it was unusual.

Kama says the influenza strain was similar to the pandemic influenza H1N1, but is more virulent or more infectious.

He adds that the three pregnant women were sick for quite some time before going to the hospital.

The three women were than taken to Mataika House for testing where they tested positive for the flu. 

Kama says that medication has been brought in directly by the World Health Organization for patients who show symptoms of the flu while vaccinations have been given to health workers who are in direct contact with the patients.

He adds that severe acute respiratory illness is one of the signs associated with the influenza.

According to the Health Ministry, there was a sudden rise in influenza cases after Cyclone Winston.