/ 28 April 2009

Swine flu puts Mozambique on high alert

Mozambique has placed its ports of entry on high alert and officials are looking out for any incidences of swine flu.

Mozambique has placed its ports of entry on high alert and officials are looking out for any incidences of swine flu, state-controlled Radio Mozambique reported on Tuesday, citing Health Minister Ivo Garrido.

Garrido was quoted by the station as saying his ministry was on alert for the disease which has so far killed more than 149 people in Mexico.

There are fears that the disease will spread through international travel.

It was not immediately know how many officials Mozambique had placed on its borders to control the disease.

According to the Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website, swine influenza (swine flu) which was first detected in a pig in 1930, is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.

Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs.

Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late autumn and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans.

The CDC said on its website it was working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza had been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organisation.

It also said it was deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support. — Sapa