THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its 15-member states to evolve appropriate measures that would enable them respond to the health crisis arising from the swine influenza that has spread to at least 18 countries across the globe.

Also, Nigeria has been listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the countries with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) capacity in place to diagnose the swine flu infection in humans.

Special Assistant (Communications) to the Minister of Health, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, told The Guardian that the Asokoro District Hospital, National Influenza Diagnostic Laboratory in Abuja was one of the facilities recognised as having satisfied the prescribed criteria.

The ECOWAS Commission at the weekend advised citizens of the region and member states to be on alert and undertake various preventive measures against the scourge.

Among the measures being taken are the activation of the sub-regional Epi-surveillance and Laboratory networks and ensuring the implementation of the ECOWAS Mechanism of Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and other Transboundary Diseases (TADs).

The commission advised all relevant agencies at the national level to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of swine influenza and encouraged farmers to exhibit high levels of animal husbandry practices and proper nutrition on their farms.

It urged member states to activate their Pandemic Preparedness Plan and contact the World Food Programme Regional Office and the Word Health organisation (WHO) for assistance where necessary and urged that people should delay international travels which are not necessary . It urged those developing symptoms following international travels to seek medical attention in line with guidance from medical authorities.

The commission said citizens should ensure high levels of personal hygiene for themselves and their families, adding that "Individuals are also advised to wash hands thoroughly with antiseptics, soap and water on a regular bases and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness such as frequent sneezing, cold, flu, headaches etc."

It also advised individuals to have facemasks in their possession, especially when going into public places; member states to avoid restrictions of regular travels or closure of borders; and that non-essential travel to areas with reported cases of infection should be avoided.

"The ECOWAS Commission wishes to reiterate its commitment to the development of the livestock sub-sector in the sub-region, but observes that the influenza event underscores the crucial importance of maintaining quality veterinary services capable of detecting relevant emerging and re-emerging pathogens that have potential public health impact.

"Veterinarians are advised to ensure the continued development of good governance in veterinary service delivery in compliance with international standards," it said, urging citizens to remain calm and continue to go about their normal businesses and exercise maximum vigilance during this period.

Meanwhile, the swine flu has extended its reach through Europe and Latin America, with at least five countries reporting new cases yesterday.

WHO has warned that people with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) are at high risk from the new flu strain.

The United Nations agency said people with immunodeficiency diseases - including the AIDS virus - will most likely be vulnerable to health complications from the H1N1 strain, as they are from regular seasonal flu, which kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people a year.

HIV and the new flu strain could also mix together in a dangerous way, as has occurred with HIV and tuberculosis, the WHO said in a set of guidance it issued for health workers on its web-site.

"Although there are inadequate data to predict the impact of a possible human influenza pandemic on HIV-affected populations, interactions between HIV/AIDS and A(H1N1) influenza could be significant," it said.

"HIV-infected persons should be considered as a high risk and a priority population for preventive and therapeutic strategies against influenza including emerging influenza A(H1N1) virus infection," it said.

The virus widely known as "swine flu" has been most severe in Mexico, where government authorities say it has killed more than 100 people, and caused more mild symptoms as it spread around the world to other countries, notably the United States, Austria, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea.

Although the outbreak remains tiny in scale compared to other epidemics live malaria, hepatitis, and meningitis, the WHO has raised its pandemic alert level to five out of six due to its rapid spread as well as the possibility that the flu could cause more devastation in poor and disease-prone communities.

"Countries with high rates of HIV - most of which are in Africa - should work to ensure that vulnerable people get the drugs they need to fight off the flu infection," the WHO said.