For the moment Africa appears not to be affected, according to a press statement released by the UN yesterday, but the continent is highly vulnerable.

Major tourist destinations in Africa are particularly exposed to this risk but the UN has pledged an enormous support to ensure that African countries do not suffer the biggest brunt of the pandemic.

Michele Montas, spokeswoman for the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, said that poor African countries are particularly vulnerable. According to her, after multiple crises that have beset the world in recent times, namely; food, energy, economic and financial ... the UN must "ensure that they (African countries that are hardest hit by the series of crises) are not disproportionately affected by a potential health crisis.

On Monday, WHO raised its alert level to four on a scale of six, which corresponds to a high pandemic risk. Since Saturday, when the flu was first detected in Mexico, suspected cases have been discovered in the United States, Canada, Spain, Great Britain and China.

As it stands, no region in the world is safe from the swine flu virus; all governments have to take precautionary measures to protect their citizens.

The UN, World Bank, development agencies and humanitarian assistance of the United Nations are ready to make funds available to countries that need to combat the epidemic, according to Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary General.

Precautionary measures in Africa

A few African countries have already embarked on precautionary measures to combat the disease. In Morocco, close to Spain, where the first European case of the disease has been reported, the Ministry of Health has already announced strong measures including strengthening of health checks at land borders, ports and airports.

Media reports also show that other countries like Algeria, Ghana and Togo, health authorities are closely observing the development of the disease and have increased health checks.

The disease, which appeared in Mexico April 24 and has already caused an estimated 150 deaths among thousands of cases and is spreading like wild fire the world over. The disease, type ‘A’ flu virus H1N1 is transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route.

According to WHO, the symptoms of the swine influenza are similar to those of ordinary seasonal flues and are characterized by fevers, headaches, aching muscles. The UN body also saia that some laboratories indicate that the first doses of a vaccine will only be available in four months but the time limits remains to be confirmed.

In the meantime, health professionals strongly recommend that basic hygiene rules (washing of hands, avoiding physical contact ...) be strictly adhered to.