Two cases of swine flu found in Ethiopia

June 19, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopian government of health has admitted today that two of its citizens who just returned from the USA were infected with Swine flu.

The Ethiopian minister of health, Tewdros Adhanom, said two Ethiopian who were in the United States for cultural exchange program were under treatment after being infected with H1N1 virus.

“Since swine flu was declared in Mexico, Ethiopia has been free of the disease. But today we can confirm two cases,” said the minister.

Adhanom said the students have received treatment and they are in a good health. He also reassured that his ministry is ready to face the flu.

“We have enough drugs to treat 100,000 people should it break out,” he said.

Nonetheless he urged the public to immediately go to health facilities when they observe symptoms of the virus.

Ethiopia was the third country after South Africa and Egypt to report the deadly flu in Africa.

(ST)