POLITICS

Where is govt's response to swine fever? - DA

Mike Waters calls for intergovernmental committee to urgently prepare a response

Concern is rising around the world about a potential global swine fever pandemic, and the government's non-response is worrying. The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for a committee consisting of representatives from the departments of home affairs, health and transport to be set up urgently to develop a strategy to prevent swine influenza from entering the country, and, should that fail, to ensure that plans are in place to manage the disease.

While the Cabinet is in a state of upheaval at the moment, and many members will change when the new Cabinet is inaugurated next month, the fact remains that the current members still have a job to do and a crisis is looming which they must deal with.

South Africans need to be assured that a strategy is in place, and government needs to make it clear what steps are being taken. Other than adding links to a few articles from Wikipedia and the BBC to its website, the Department of Health has done nothing to demonstrate to South Africans that action is being taken.

Swine fever has been declared a public health emergency in the United States, where several cases have been reported. Other countries where no cases have yet been reported have imposed travel bans or made plans to quarantine air travellers. In contrast, South Africa's response has been muted.

South Africa is a long physical distance from the outbreak, but it would take only one passenger arriving on a long-haul flight to let loose an outbreak here.

The Department of Health clearly has a job to do in making sure that health staff, as well as ordinary South Africans, know what the symptoms are and know how to respond if there is a suspected case of swine fever, and in ensuring that South Africa has adequate stocks of medications that have been shown to be effective.

The Department of Home Affairs should be alerting border officials to the potential problem and making sure it is ready to close border posts, if necessary, and Department of Transport officials should be monitoring airports and ports.

These are the sensible precautions that other countries are taking to protect their citizens. South Africa must do the same.

Statement issued by Democratic Alliance spokesperson on health, Mike Waters MP, April 28 2009

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