Sixteen (A)H1N1 patients so far

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The total number of (A)H1N1 patients detected when they entered Sri Lanka is 16 and none of them are from Sri Lanka.

They had all come to Sri Lanka from other countries. Only six patients are receiving treatment at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Angoda and all other patients numbering 10 are completely cured and discharged.

There are four other patients to be diagnosed shortly, IDH, Director Dr. Anura Senanayake said. Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry, Epidemiology Unit Senior Epidemilogist, Dr. Sudath Peiris said that the treatment for (A)H1N1 lasts only for five days.

The majority of patients found positive did not require treatment."

But they were treated because it is required to follow international guidelines. None of them were very sick or required special treatment," he said.

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry took steps to detect (A)H1N1 patients at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Colombo Harbour as soon as the disease was reported from Mexico for the very first time three months ago. Thermal scanners were installed at the BIA to detect persons with high body temperature and special health teams were deployed at the BIA.

A special health centre was also established at the BIA. The first (A)H1N1 case found in Sri Lanka was diagnosed within five hours which was commended by the WHO.

When the outbreak has reported from Mexico, the Ministry allocated 20 sentinel hospitals in 20 districts to treat (A)H1N1 and also obtained drugs, medical equipment and masks from the WHO.