http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010012018865

Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it currently had no vaccine in stock to treat cases of Influenza A/H1N1, also known as Swine Flu.

This is coming just as the government confirmed that the virus had claimed the life of a 38-year-old woman, while eight others had also tested positive.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said this at a press briefing in Lagos along with Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Adetoun Agbe-Davies, and Director of Disease Control, Dr. Femi Taiwo.

Idris, however, said the state government had finalised the decision to procure the vaccine from abroad within a timeframe of four weeks in order to respond to the health crisis.

But he urged people to take some precautionary measures.

He added that the 38-year-old victim of Influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu) travelled to the United States about three months ago and developed a respiratory tract infection about six weeks after returning to Nigeria.

The commissioner said, ”The victim was referred to a private hospital in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, where she was being managed for pneumonia before she died on January 5, 2010. It was discovered after her death that she died of the virus.

“The State Epidemics Rapid Response Team immediately visited the hospital for further investigations, which revealed that eight persons had tested positive in the state.

The commissioner explained that 52 samples of nose and throat swats of close contacts were taken to the laboratory, comprising those that came in contact with the victim before and after she developed pneumonia with symptoms of fever, headaches, productive cough, shortness of breath and respiratory distress.

He said, ”Results of 46 are ready, and eight are positive of Influenza A/H1N1. Those tested positive have since been placed on antivirals-Tamiflu, and surveillance activities have started, and are still ongoing.

“This is the third case of Influenza A/H1N1 in Lagos but the only death recorded.”

According to him, surveillance activities have commenced and are still on-going.

He added, “Motorised mass public enlightenment activities are being intensified while print and electronic jingles and other enlightenment materials are being rolled out to alert the public on what to do if certain symptoms are noticed.”