The Praia Health Department delegation plans to create a hot line to accompany the swine flu situation in the municipality, according to Health Department delegate José da Rosa. The hot line, which is expected to be operational before the end of the week, is hoped to serve as a prevention strategy in the wake of the confirmation by the Ministry of Health of 10 more cases of infection by the H1N1 virus in the country.

The idea for the creation of a hot line comes as 18 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Praia alone – more than half of all of the cases confirmed so far in Cape Verde. In addition to the 18 cases in Praia, three have been confirmed in Santa Catarina, also on the island of Santiago, one on São Vicente and one on Boa Vista.

All of the 27 cases awaiting confirmation are from Praia. This increase in suspected cases over the past two weeks, particularly in Praia, is related, according to Dr. José da Rosa, to the arrival of Cape Verdean students on their summer vacations and who have been in contact with individuals infected with H1N1 in the countries in which they attend university.

The solution to avoid additional cases consists of putting prevention measures into practice. The measures have been disseminated in the media, according to Dr. José da Rosa, but it is also necessary to “adopt a containment plan, which is why we’re discussing what can be done with companies and institutions.”