Guyana has confirmed its ninth case of the H1N1.

However, unlike the first eight H1N1 cases identified, this one, has not been traced to international contact.

Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy recently explained that all possible avenues are being explored to contain the virus.

In this regard, the Ministry of Health is tasked with monitoring at least a thousand individuals as concerns on indigenous spread of the virus have been raised.

The eighth H1N1 victim is a male Georgetown resident who is said to be in a stable condition at his home.

The identification of the ninth victim is unavailable due to certain confidentiality protocols.

Ramsammy noted that to date, over 70 specimens have been sent to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) for testing.

Guyana continues to work with a Basic Index of Suspicion system that allows health workers to check for a number of variables.

The Ministry of Health is in the process of acquiring equipment, as promised earlier in the month, to boost Guyana’s capacity for testing specimens for H1N1.

The new equipment, valued at $8M, will facilitate local DNA testing of specimens on an open platform, meaning that the equipment has the capacity to test for a variety of things.

It should be set up by November.

Also, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced that a vaccine for the virus should be made available by next month.

Minister Ramsammy has assured that his ministry will be in a position to procure the vaccines, at which time pregnant women, young children and the elderly will be at the forefront of those to receive it.

The H1N1 is a flu virus with symptoms similar to that of seasonal flu which include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza.

Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

The spread of H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads.

The Health Minister added that it in time Guyana will see more cases and the Guyanese public should continue to take precautions.