By Neo Kolane
The director general of health services, ‘Nyane Letsie has finally addressed reports of a suspected swine flu outbreak by stating that they have alerted some districts (Maseru, Berea and Quthing) through their rapid response teams and have started investigating the influenza like illness.
In an internal communication dated November 12 2021, Letsie says the ministry of health at different levels has been receiving signals from different sources of children presenting with influenza-like illness.
However, Letsie said the preliminary results from the investigations excluded COVID-19 as a cause, while the investigations of other respiratory pathogens are inconclusive.
“As a result, the national rapid response team in collaboration with other supporting partners advised that investigations have to continue until a definitive cause is established.
“Therefore the directors and health of programs as well as DMOs to notify all the attending clinical staff from private and public health facilities to take samples from relevant patients as per the attached guidance for further testing,” Letsie said.
Letsie notes that these investigations should not replace other relevant investigations such as SARS-CoV, TB, radiological tests and any other applicable tests which may need to be undertaken in patients presenting with respiratory illness.
“In addition, the testing should not replace provision of appropriate medical care to the patient,” she directed.
