Flu virus remains mild says head doctor

(CNS): Although Cayman now has nine cases of swine flu (the novel H1N1 virus) none of the patients have suffered severe symptoms as a result of the infection. Medical Director Dr Greg Hoeksema (left) has said this reinforces the point that this flu at the moment is no more concerning than the other three influenza viruses that also continue to circulate in the Cayman Islands. The Health Services Authority confirmed an additional two cases of the novel H1N1 virus in the Cayman Islands, on Wednesday bringing the total number of confirmed cases to nine.

The latest two adults to become infected are, like previous patients, experiencing a mild illness and recovering at home without antiviral medications. 

Dr Anna Matthews, Acting Medical Officer of Health, said the rise in the number of cases hads been expected and was in keeping with global patterns of transmission.  She expects to see a continued increase in the number of locally confirmed cases, particularly in light of the mobility of the population.

 The HSA said that it remains vigilant in its public health surveillance initiatives to mitigate the spread of the virus and monitor its activity locally.