HINI VIRUS IN SRI LANKA

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001072 DEPT OF AGRICULTURE USD FAS E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU ECON CE SUBJECT: HINI VIRUS IN SRI LANKA ¶1. As of November 24, there are a total of 254 confirmed H1N1 cases in Sri Lanka, and six deaths have been reported since the first suspected case of H1N1 on the island was reported in June 2009. The Epidemiology Unit now describes the situation in the country as a pandemic. The deaths reported occurred in three districts and three of the victims were pregnant mothers. Samples of suspected cases of H1N1 are being reviewed by the Medical Research Institute (MRI). ¶2. Since November 20, all public schools in the Central Province of Sri Lanka have been closed as a precautionary measure and Sri Lankan media is widely reporting on the situation. The Ministry of Health (MOH) sent a medical team to the affected areas to carry out a study of the spread of the H1N1 virus. ¶3. The MOH has distributed medication to all national hospitals island-wide and has ordered Novel H1N1 injections through the World Health Organization. Injections will be administered to those in the high risk categories such as expectant mothers, persons between the ages of six months and 24 years, persons over 64 years old, and patients suffering from chronic or immunosuppressant diseases. Fowler