Lusaka - Health authorities in the southern African country of Zambia have temporarily closed one school and quarantined children at another in the north-central Copperbelt region, following an outbreak of swine flu, an official said on Wednesday.
Zambia has recorded 400 suspected cases of the (A)H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, at schools nationwide since the first case of infection was discovered in the country last month. So far, there have been no fatalities.
Only around 15 cases have been confirmed so far as being swine flu. Zambia has just one laboratory that can test for the virus, located in the capital Lusaka.
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Luanshya Trust private school has suffered some 230 suspected cases since last week. The school has been closed and the children moved for testing to a impromptu health centre, Moses Mumba, the district commissioner, told journalists.
At Ndola Girls' High School, a public boarding school, around 100 more pupils have been placed under quarantine while they undergo tests at the school for suspected swine flu.
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions has urged the government to consider temporarily closing all schools in the country to halt the spread of the virus.
Swine flu has been spreading throughout southern Africa in recent months. In South Africa, at least 47 people have died from the virus and over 10 000 people been infected. Mozambique last week announced its first swine flu death.
The virus has so far killed about 3 500 people worldwide. - Sapa-dpa
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