Maldives, March 17 (NIA) – Maldives on Friday said that although there had been a rise in the number of H1N1 cases in the island country, this however was not similar to a swine flu pandemic.
A government statement said that after the 2009 influenza pandemic, the H1N1 had been circulating as normal seasonal influenza and had been causing seasonal outbreaks every year around the world.
“H1N1 infection is now similar to any other influenza and not any more severe or dangerous. However, very young children, the elderly and those with certain pre-existing conditions such as lung diseases can have more severe disease or have complications when infected with any type of influenza,” the statement said.
Therefore the government said health authorities were currently working with clinicians, health facilities and other related authorities to take measures to control the spread of influenza, as per its usual epidemic control measures.
The number of people who have tested positive for the H1N1 influenza virus in the Maldives has risen to 105 after an additional 23 people tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.
Statistics released by the Maldives Health Protection Agency on Thursday said that 335 people had been screened for H1N1 influenza, out of which 105 people had tested positive.
Two people who tested positive for the H1N1 virus have died so far this year.
In order to prevent the numbers rising further, the Maldives Health sector has now opened up flu clinics in three major hospitals across Maldives and all necessary facilities are being put in place to treat patients.
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