Eulalee Thompson, Health Editor
In a rapidly developing and changing situation, the world could be on the brink of its first influenza epidemic in more than 40 years. At the time of publication, the World Health Organisation was still calling the situation a "public-health emergency of international concern".
The culprit virus is the swine influenza A (H1N1), an emerging new strain of the H1N1 flu virus with genes from human, avian and swine variety flus. Though the virus is spreading from its epicentre in Mexico City (where it has already killed more than 80 people) across the borders of many other countries, there is some hopeful news from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Relevant sources say that limited supplies of these drugs are available in Jamaica but that supplies will increase as needed. The health minister, Rudyard Spencer, however indicated stepped-up monitoring at the island's ports of entry.
How can you stay healthy (Source: CDC)
1. There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy
2. Try to avoid close contact with sick people
Surveillance of human infection with swine flu
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. The WHO advises that new influenza virus subtypes and clusters of unknown and unusual disease are notifiable to WHO in accordance with the Annex 2 decision instrument of the International Health Regulation (2005). Find below WHO guidelines for further investigation of possible cases of swine influenza A.
Triggers/signals for the investigation of possible cases of swine influenza A (H1N1):
The primary focus of early investigation is to trigger the initial investigation. Specific triggers include:
1. Clusters of cases of unexplained influenza-like illness or acute lower respiratory disease.
2. Severe, unexplained respiratory illness occurring in one or more health-care worker(s)
who provide care for patients with respiratory disease.
3. Changes in the epidemiology of mortality associated with the occurrence of influenza-like illness or lower respiratory tract illness, an increase in deaths observed from respiratory illness or an increase in the occurrence of severe respiratory disease in previously healthy adults or adolescents.
4. Persistent changes noted in the treatment response or outcome of severe lower respiratory illness.
Epidemiological risk factors that should raise suspicion of swine influenza A (H1N1) include:
1. Close contact to a confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection while the
case was ill.
2. Recent travel to an area where there are confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1).
3. Close contact: having cared for, lived with, or had direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a probable or confirmed case of swine influenza A.
What happens if outbreak is classified as a pandemic?
Stepping up to pandemic phase 4 level would be the signal for serious containment actions to be taken on the national and international level. The WHO phase 4 might trigger an attempt to keep the virus from spreading by instituting strict quarantines and blanketing infected areas with antivirals. Some international health experts believe that the opportunity to contain the disease has already been missed.
Eulalee Thompson is health editor and a professional counsellor; email: eulalee. thompson@gleanerjm.com.