Respiratory disease identified as Influenza A (H1N1 pdm)

The respiratory disease which affected some staff members at the Angoda National Institute of Mental Health has been identified as Influenza A (H1N1 pdm) following investigations carried out by the MRI, the Health Ministry said in a release yesterday.

This is a seasonal influenza caused by a virus similar to that which caused a global epidemic in 2009 and 2010, the ministry said.

The normal symptoms of the disease are fever and cold. But it could lead to pneumonia if proper care is not taken, the ministry said.

The ministry has provided advise to control the disease to all hospitals including the Angoda Mental Health Institute. The Health Supplies Division has adequate stocks of drugs to treat the disease and the MRI has facilities to conduct medical tests, the release said.