Medic: No need to panic about import of US flu virus

Although many travellers are coming to TT for Christmas, there is no need to worry about the deadly influenza virus in the United States being imported.

“I don’t think we have to worry about importing American flu bugs. We don’t respond to Ameri-can trends in viruses,” said Presi-dent of the General Practitioners Association of TT, Dr Neil Singh in a telephone interview yesterday. A flu strain mutation (Fujian, in the Type A class) is responsible for thousands of Americans falling ill, and has caused the death of several children. Parts of the US are also reported to be facing a shortage of the flu shot. Doctors are concerned because the flu virus currently circulating is causing unusual complications (eg bacterial pneumonia) particularly in young patients.

Dr Singh said it is “very rare” that a flu virus brought into another country will cause an epidemic. TT has its own flu types and he did not think the one in the US is a problem for this country. He also said the flu viruses in TT were not deadly. Dr Singh said a virus can be highly contagious but does not kill, like red eye and the common flu. The spread of viruses is caused by people being in close contact. He said the winter season in the US has caused many people to be confined indoors, while in TT during the rainy season there are more cases of viruses because “we are more close together.” Now that schools are closed, he expected a drop in the number of viruses until Carnival when more visitors come to TT and people are in close proximity at fetes and other events. He said there is nothing to be alarmed about since a “normal” number of chicken pox, cough/ cold and a few gastroenteritis cases occur at these times. Dr Singh said deaths among the young and elderly due to influenza occur because their weak immune systems make them more prone to chronic illnesses.

The Health Ministry yesterday said it always has ongoing surveillance for any persons coming into TT with febrile (feverish) diseases. According to Medinfo.co.uk, influenza is a virus which causes a severe form of respiratory tract infection with generalised body symptoms. It spreads around the world in epidemics and is responsible for much ill health as well as many deaths. Influenza is caused by a virus that attacks our body’s cells, resulting in various effects depending on the strain of the virus. It mutates all the time and new variations (strains) arise. Immunity (by exposure or im-munisation) against one strain does not protect against others. Influenza symptoms include high fever, severe aches and pains often in the back and muscles, severe headache, cough and as a result of fever intermittent sweating and shivering. There may also be vomiting and/or diarrhoea.