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Botswana

Botswana registers the first confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1) case

The first case of Influenza A (H1N1) was confirmed in Gaborone today (10/07/09). The Director of Public Health Ms Shenaaz El Halabi told a media conference this morning that the infected patient is a Motswana man who resides in Gaborone. She said the patient has been placed in isolation in a health facility where he is receiving treatment, while the ministry is still tracking all his contacts. Ms El Halabi has since advised the public not to panic as there are systems in place to deal with this pandemic.

For his part, WHO Representative, Dr Eugene Nyarko says the case is mild and self-limiting, but advised members of the public to maintain a high level of personal hygiene. Dr Nyarko also said the neighbouring South Africa has registered 47 confirmed cases so far while other cases have been recorded across the African continent.