Influenza B Causes Schools To Close Temporarily
Moto’otua Nationa Hospital
Photo: RNZ
In a little more than two weeks, the number of children who have contracted the flu has tripled.
In a press conference held last week, Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma, Director General of the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the number of children who have contracted the flu has tripled in the previous two weeks.
The growing number of children suffering from type B flu has raised concerns for the director.
He claimed that 1200 kids were infected in total about three months ago, but that in the last three to four weeks, the number has increased to 250 kids being admitted to the hospital every day.
Aiono also added that although 2,441 children were reported to the clinic in just two weeks, 1,915 children were reported to the clinic back in March.
Aiono further stated that this is the reason the ministry recommended to the cabinet that schools be closed for an additional week. By doing this, Aiono continued, it will lessen the widespread transmission of influenza among children.
Aiono claims that the paediatric ward's constrained bed capacity is his major worry. He claimed there were only 54 beds left after admitting 70 kids. In order to make up for the lack of beds, he claims that other kids were sent to the local hospitals.
About 70 patients have been admitted to the main hospital thus far with severe flu symptoms. They experienced vomiting, nausea, and breathlessness.
All schools will be closed this week starting on Monday, May 1st-5th according to a directive from the Cabinet that was released last week.