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People are advised to keep away from meetings or any such events to avoid the risk of exposure to the A/H/1N1 virus. If one wants to attend a meeting stay least 1½ meters away from the next person, Dr. Lasantha Koddituwakku, the Chief of the Red Cross Health Services said.
"Festive crowds thronging the supermarkets in the festive season risk contacting the virus. The handles of trolleys used to cart goods could be carriers of the virus," he said.
The warnings came from two doctors who briefed those present on Monday (21) at the Red Cross Humanitarian Pandemic Preparedness Accelerated Project session.
Dr. Koddituwakku said the pandemic was caused by a new virus which had claimed several lives this year. The World Health Organisation had declared a pandemic situation.
"The virus is spreading globally. Difficulty in breathing, headache, and vomiting are the initial symptoms of the disease. The symptoms last for about a week. Death is caused by resptratory complications," he said.
Those over 65 years and toddlers under 2 years were the most vulnerable.
The Sri Lanka Red Cross had expended a sum of Rs.8 million up to now on the project.
Dr. Maneesh Pant, Health and Care Coordinator, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said that the virus could cripple the productivity of a nation by infecting the adults and young adults.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies had allocated a sum of USD 150 million for the control of the disease .
He disclosed that local supermarkets had been currently advised to wipe frequently the touched items with a disinfectant. Glasses, plates and spoons were potential carriers of the virus.
One infected person could infect around 20 others. The virus first enters the lung.
In India there were about 500 deaths. However the world’s percentage of fatality is about 2 per cent.
Unlike AIDS the virus is not sexually transmitted.
Surein Peris Deputy Director General Sri Lanka Red Cross Society said that eradicating the pandemic has become a national priority.
The virus was globally proliferating and it was vital to educate the general public about the virus,he said.
With this end in view teams of volunteers had been mobilized and leaflets were being distributed.
In the AIDS campaigns street dramas were held to educate the people, but in this context such endeavours could not be employed due to the fact that gathering of people would only facilitate the rapid spread of the disease.
