Romanian Authorities ‘On Top’ Of Swine Flu Issue – PM

“We are on top of things; we are using all EU standard proceedings according to WHO (World Health Organization – e.n.) recommendations and we hope we will be able to keep the situation under control. Pork consumption is safe, there is no problem about that in the country, as all precautionary measures (…) have been taken; the important thing is that we, every Romanian, observe basic personal hygiene rules to prevent potential spreading,” Boc told a press conference Thursday.

 

Unlike the bird flu, where the H5N1 strain spread to humans from birds and officials worried about people being exposed to infected birds, WHO says there is no similar concern about pigs, as there is no evidence that people contracted swine flu by eating pork or handling pigs.

 

The new strain has already infected some 13,000 people worldwide.

 

On Wednesday, Romania identified its first case of swine flu in a 30-year-old woman who arrived from New York last week, Health Minister Ion Bazac said.

 

Another two tests, on one of the woman’s two children and her father, came back positive later Wednesday, but official confirmation is expected today.