Two undergrads detected with (A)H1N1

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Two students from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura have been diagnosed with Novel Influenza (A)H1N1. Other university students hospitalized are not infected.

According to the evidence, the deaths reported from the University of Performing Arts and Gampaha area were not caused by the disease, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry Spokesman said.

He said the Sabaragamuwa University has been closed for one week to prevent the rapid spread of an ordinary cold and according to the medical examinations it was just an ordinary cold and not (A)H1N1.

The decision had been taken by the university authorities without consulting the Provincial Health Director, Provincial Microbiologist and the Epidemiology Unit of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry.

Regular medical examinations have been conducted in suspected areas to detect any possible (A)H1N1 infected persons but so far no patients reported.

According to the global situation and the local situation in connection with the (A)H1N1, it is possible to spread the disease among a large number of persons and become a widely spread disease. But only the persons belonging to risk categories are in danger and should seek medical treatment for any type of cold/flu.

The disease will act like any other influenza/flu for the others.

The risk groups are children younger than two years old, adults 65 years old, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical or immuno suppressive conditions such as chronic lung (including asthma), cardiovascular (excluding hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus), immuno suppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV, those with disorders that can compromise respiratory function e.g spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders and those younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.