The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that it is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus.
In a release, the WHO said, "Today, international travel moves rapidly, with large numbers of individuals visiting various parts of the world. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community."
The WHO also said that influenza A (H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world but that the focus now is on minimising the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally. The WHO said that although identifying the signs and symptoms of influenza in travellers can be an effective monitoring technique, it is not effective in reducing the spread of influenza as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms.
The organisation stated further that scientific research based on mathematical modelling indicates that restricting travel will be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease and that historical records of previous influenza pandemics, as well as experience with SARS, have validated this point.
Vaccine development
Is an effective vaccine already available against the new influenza A(H1N1) virus?
No, but work is already under way to develop such a vaccine. Influenza vaccines generally contain a dead or weakened form of a circulating virus. The vaccine prepares the body's immune system to defend against a true infection. For the vaccine to protect as well as possible, the virus in it should match the circulating 'wild-type' virus relatively closely. Since this H1N1 virus is new, there is no vaccine currently available made with this particular virus. Making a completely new influenza vaccine can take five to six months.
How important will influenza A (H1N1) vaccines be for reducing pandemic disease?
Vaccines are one of the most valuable ways to protect people during influenza epidemics and pandemics. Other measures include antiviral drugs, social distancing and personal hygiene.
Will currently available seasonal vaccine confer protection against influenza A (H1N1)?
The best scientific evidence available today is incomplete but suggests that seasonal vaccines will confer little or no protection against influenza A (H1N1).
What is the WHO doing to facilitate production of influenza A (H1N1) vaccines?
As soon as the first human cases of new influenza A (H1N1) infection became known to the WHO, the WHO Collaborating Center in Atlanta (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America) took immediate action and began the work to develop candidate vaccine viruses. The WHO also initiated consultations with vaccine manufacturers worldwide to facilitate the availability of all necessary material to start production of influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. In parallel, WHO is working with national regulatory authorities to ensure that the new influenza A (H1N1) vaccine will meet all safety criteria and be made available as soon as possible.
Source: The World Health Organisation