Editor,The recent outbreak of swine flu should not be taken lightly because it is imminent and very dangerous. In my view, travellers who are ill or developing influenza-like illnesses should consider delaying international travels or seek immediate medical attention And like Rwanda has done, all countries should establish surveillance systems for early detection and effective treatment of cases and infection control in all health facilities. Originally from USA and Mexico, Swine Flu has quickly spread to Canada, New Zealand, Australia, UK, Israel, Spain, Germany and who knows? Africa might be next. According to the new International Health Regulations (IHR), the situation has been declared a public health emergency and raised its pandemic alert from 4 to 5 (human-to-human spread of a new influenza virus). The highest alert level is 6. Butare
