Update: Seven more cases have just been confirmed bringing the total in Gozo to 32 and the total in Malta and Gozo overall to 55.

The Health Department has announced that it is now clear that most new cases do not involve persons who contracted the disease abroad, but are ‘secondary infections’ which were contracted locally through contact with persons who already have the virus. Therefore, the National Pandemic Committee has decided to move on to the second stage of the national pandemic plan which involves giving priority to the most vulnerable persons, rather than continuing to attempt to keep the virus from spreading among the population.

This announcement came as another nine new cases of the A H1N1 influenza virus had been confirmed, eight of which are in Gozo, taking the total number of cases to 48, 25 in Gozo and 23 in Malta. There are now sixteen cases in Gharb itself, where it is believed that the virus was spread during the village feast celebrations. There are at least another five persons who do not live in Gharb, but appear to have been possibly infected during the same feast.

Persons who feel any of the symptoms related to the virus are to consult their family doctor. He or she will determine whether or not to seek the assistance of the Health Department’s specialists, depending on whether or not the patient is considered to be within the vulnerable category.

If considered vulnerable, medical officials will visit the patient and carry out tests to determine whether or not he or she requires treating with Tamiflu. Tamiflu will now only be administered to vulnerable patients, as the World Health Organisation has advised that healthy adults can recover from the disease without the need of medication.

Vulnerable persons include children younger than five years old, pregnant women, persons with chronic illnesses such as respiratory diseases and heart problems, as well as any other person who develop severe symptoms of the disease.

The Health Department insisted that people who feel unwell should stay at home and not go to work, pointing out that one of the patients had been infected while at work.

Anyone who is currently feeling any of the symptoms is urged not to go to hospital emergency departments or clinics, instead they should stay at home and contact a doctor, or contact the swine flu helpline on 21324086.

The World Health Organisations comprehensive advisory on how best to protect ourselves from becoming infected and what to do if we think we have caught the virus can be viewed by clicking this link.

The WHO advisory also answers a number of questions that may arise during the course of this current pandemic.

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