St. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, APRIL 29th 2009_The Ministry of Health is aware of the arrival into the country of two persons from one of the countries affected by the Swine Influenza on an American Airlines flight on Tuesday evening. The Ministry is taking all steps necessary to ensure relevant tests are undertaken to determine the status of the individuals and the potential risk they may pose to persons with whom they may come into contact. The two individuals have been cooperating with the Ministry’s directions and have been provided with the required medical treatment as a preemptive measure. They have been required to stay at home and remain quarantined to determine whether they had been exposed to or have indeed contracted the Swine Influenza. Additionally the ministry has put in place a series of measures designed to minimize any potential risk to the population and ensure Grenada remains free of the Swine Influenza. “This is not a time to panic, it is a time to pay special attention to our plan, examine our response and test our preparedness for any potential threat,” Minister of Health Ann Peters said Wednesday. A team of medical personnel have been positioned at the Point Saline International Airport to screen persons arriving from affected countries and cities in the United States, prior to being allowed to travel to their place of residence in Grenada. The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Emma Herry-Thompson is coordinating the ministry’s response to the issue. “We have put measures in place that will help us to stave off or limit any potential exposure to the Swine Influenza Virus and we are providing information at our ports of entry that will help persons who are not infected or have been exposed to the virus,” said CMO Herry-Thompson. The Ministry has earmarked a site to quarantine persons arriving into the country who are showing symptoms of exposure to the virus. These symptoms include fever, coughing, headache, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea. The Chief Medical Officer says she empathises with families who have children studying overseas, but she warns against attempts to bring them back home at this time. “We at the Ministry understand the apprehension and concern of parents; however all the international agencies are warning against travel especially those using routes that pass through infected and affected areas. As a result we are asking parents to keep in touch with the children where they are but do not attempt at this time to have them return to Grenada,” the CMO said. She noted that already several countries had cancelled flights out of Mexico. She said the Grenada government is in touch with the Mexican government concerning the position of students there and are working to ensure their safety. Prime Minister and Minister for National Security, Hon. Tillman Thomas has been fully appraised of the preparations and the rapidly changing global situation. Source: Chief Medical Officer