Havana, April 29 (Inditop) Cuba is closely monitoring the outbreak of swine flu that has caused over 100 deaths in Mexico and spread to the US and several European countries, Cuban Health Minister Luis Estruch has said.
Health officials in Cuba were monitoring the situation and planning actions to face any such emergency, Estruch said, stressing that there has not been a single case reported so far in the Caribbean island, Cuban news agency Prensa Latina reported Wednesday.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the H1N1 strain of the virus has been found for the first time ever both in animals and humans so it is hard to forecast the disease’s reach.
But, Estruch, a specialist in Epidemiology, said his country’s health system has the potential to diagnose and treat the disease.
“There is qualified staff to assist and monitor patients and meet the people’s needs round the clock in case of an emergency,” he said.
In line with the international situation, Estruch called for adopting strict personal and collective hygiene measures at schools, services and other public places.
Cuba is implementing control measures in ports and airports and on planes, ships and in-coming travellers to prevent entrance of the virus, the minister stated.
rounak