Over 15,000 suspected swine flu cases recorded in Zimbabwe since October

Via African Press Agency, excerpt :

" Zimbabwe’s health ministry said here Tuesday that more than 15,000 cases of suspected swine flu have been recorded in four of the country’s 10 provinces since last month, but assuring the public that the situation was under control.

Deputy Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora said 15,453 suspected cases of the H1N1 virus had been reported in the capital Harare and three other provinces of Masvingo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South as of November 5 since the latest outbreak started in mid-October.

“So far 16 people have tested positive to H1N1 after undergoing rapid diagnostic testing,” Mombeshora told state television.

Matabeleland North has the highest number of suspected cases at 14,182, followed by the neighbouring Matabeleland South province which has recorded 1,160 suspected cases.

Masvingo has recorded 105 suspected cases while Harare has the lowest number with six suspected cases.

Mombeshora however said the government had sufficient drug stocks in the event of an outbreak of the disease."