Swine Flu Reported in Nyapyidaw

By THE IRRAWADDY
Friday, February 19, 2010

Cases of A/H1N1 swine flu have been reported in Naypyidaw, the Burmese capital, following a similar outbreak in Rangoon earlier this month, according to sources in the former capital.

A number of people, including government employes, in Naypyidaw have been diagnosed with A/H1N1 swine flu, and the authorities are providing vaccines and medicine, said a journalist in Rangoon.

About 30 civil servants who attended ceremonies for the 63rd Union Day in Naypyidaw were reportedly quarantined in the capital, according to one report, which could not be confirmed.

It was not clear if those quarantined had already contracted the flu or only had been exposed to people with the flu.

An outbreak of A/H1N1 flu was reported in Rangoon in early February when dozens of students contracted the disease.

According to a physician at the Ministry of Health, 27 cases of the disease have been confirmed since Feb. 7. The total number number in Burma now stands at 31, although the official number is 29, according to state-run media.

All 27 cases were students from primary and high schools in North Dagon Township in Rangoon. The infected students were admitted to the Wai Bar Gi infectious disease hospital. Seventy-three people with whom they had contact were quarantined.

On Feb. 5, four people in Chin State also tested positive for the A/H1N1 virus.

Cases of the H5N1 virus and A/H1N1 flu have both been reported in Rangoon, sources said.

Meanwhile, sources in Rangoon said that Burmese authorities have banned the sale of eggs in some markets in Rangoon Division after the discovery of the H5N1 virus at a chicken farm.

Last year, 69 cases of the disease were confirmed.