KINGSTON, Jamaica – Chief Medical Officer, Dr Winston De La Haye is urging people, especially those in the high-risk group for severe symptoms, to take steps to prevent infection as the Ministry of Health continues to record cases of influenza.

The Ministry, in a release today, listed children under five years old, pregnant women, the elderly, people with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, asthma and those with a compromised immune system as part of the high risk group.

There have been 10 confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) since the start of the year including two associated deaths, the latest in a patient with another severe and life threatening illness as in the previous case, the release added.

 “Persons in the high risk group are at a greater risk of being severely affected if they get the flu virus. These persons therefore need to be extra cautious by observing proper hygiene practices and taking other measures to prevent infection,” Dr De La Haye said.

He advised that everyone take the following precautions:

1) Clean your hands frequently with soap and water

2)  Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing

3) Control the spread of germ — avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands

4)  Avoid contact with persons with flu-like symptoms

5) And avoid intimate contact including hand shaking and kissing especially with persons who have flu-like symptoms.

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness that presents with symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache and body aches and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be experienced.  Influenza viruses are mainly spread from person to person through droplets produced while coughing or sneezing or by persons touching surfaces contaminated with droplets.