The Hanover Health Department is taking a proactive approach, including increasing surveillance, to prevent the Influenza A (HINI) virus from spreading to the parish.

Hanover remains one of the parishes unaffected by the virus with no confirmed cases to date.

Addressing the monthly meeting of the Hanover Parish Council in Lucea on July 9, acting medical officer of health for the parish, Dr Diahann Dale, said tests have been done on persons with flu-like symptoms but they have all returned negative results for the H1N1 virus.

She said the department is "keeping an active watch" and monitoring all cases of fever, respiratory illness and other symptoms.

In addition, there has been continued public education on good hygiene, other preventative measures, and what to do if persons have flu-like symptoms.