UN helps Zim set up H1N1 lab

The world body announced last week that the World Health Organisation (WHO) was assisting Zimbabwe build capacity to test for the virus which had infected at least 41 Zimbabweans by the end of November. WHO has donated to the Ministry of Health equipment called Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine used in testing H1N1 pores in

blood samples taken from people suspected to have contracted the disease.

In order to build Zimbabwes capacity to test for H1N1 and initiate surveillance of the virus, WHO has procured a Real Time PCR machine and consumables, the UN said. Scientists from Zimbabwes medical laboratory have been sent to South Africas National Institute for Communicable Diseases for training in PCR testing while efforts are being made to seek accreditation of the Zimbabwean facility from the WHO.

Zimbabwe has until now been sending samples to laboratories in neighbouring countries such as Zambia and South Africa for H1N1 testing because the countrys facilities do not meet WHO standards. WHO reported that 249 probable cases of H1N1 had been reported by the end of last month, 41 of which were confirmed by PCR to be pandemic H1N1.

Surveillance of suspected H1N1 cases continues at provincial level and health partners have begun the process of identifying populations at risk for vaccination purposes next year. Groups so far identified include health workers, school children and pregnant women.

Meanwhile, no new cases of H1N1 or cholera were reported since the last week of November, prompting the UN to conclude that both outbreaks are well under control. Cholera has so far infected some 146 persons with five fatalities since the disease resurfaced in September. This is far cry from last year when more than 10 000 cases and hundreds of deaths had been recorded by this time of the year.