22 July 2009
HEALTH Minister Kapembwa Simbao has said there is no vaccine for H1N1 virus and has, therefore, implored citizens to take preventive measures against the pandemic.

Speaking when he presented a ministerial statement on the pandemic in Parliament, Mr Simbao said there were many measures that could help prevent the outbreak of the disease in the country.

"Always use clean tissue and throw them in the bin after use and it is also advisable that if you have a flu or symptoms of flu restrict contact with too many people and seek advise of a medical doctor," Mr Simbao said.

He said doctors countrywide were on alert and the Government had set up the national epidemic preparedness, planning, control and management committee which met regularly to discuss outbreaks and share plans for control.

The committee includes ministers of Local Government and Housing, Education and Livestock and Fisheries. Other members of the committee include cooperating partners like Medecins San Frontiers, World Health Organisation and the Center for Control Disease in Zambia.
Mr Simbao said that three weeks ago, during the normal surveillance investigations at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), an infant from Chipata compound in Lusaka was found with flu symptoms but thorough investigations revealed that the flu was ordinary.

Energy and Water Development Deputy Minister, Allan Mbewe told the House that the Japanese government was assisting the Government to electrify rural places through the rural electrification programme. He said that at least 124 areas throughout the country were expected to benefit from the programme.

He said this when he responded to a question raised by Chipili MP Davies Mwila (PF) who wanted to know the numbers of areas expected to benefit from the electrification programme.
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