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Wednesday, 29 April 2009, 4:00pm

  • The World Health Organization alert level for pandemic flu is at Phase 5. This means there is sustained human-to-human transmission of the H1N1 virus (swine flu), and the current flu outbreak has taken a "significant step" toward becoming a pandemic.
  • The European Union Health Commissioner advised Europeans to avoid nonessential travel both to Mexico and parts of the United States. A similar advisory was issued by Cayman’s Medical Officer for Health Dr Kiran Kumar.
  • The World Health Organization has singled out air travel as an easy way for the virus to spread, citing an estimate that up to 500,000 people are on planes at any one time. There is a real possibility that the virus will spread to the Cayman Islands.

Local Action:

  • With oversight by Dr Kiran Kumar and the Ministry of Health, the Cayman Islands has initiated the plan of action outlined in the Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan.
  • Frequently Asked Questions about swine flu have been featured in full page ads published in local papers. They’re also available on this website.

Surveillance:

  • Public Health and Health Services Authority have started surveillance for the disease, paying specific attention to cases with a combination of relevant symptoms and travel history to affected areas.
  • Laboratory tests will be done through CAREC in Trinidad – it takes 3-5 days from the collection of samples to return of results. However, treatment of flu symptoms will commence immediately.
  • The Department of Agriculture will organize a surveillance program to identify any symptomatic cases in the local pig population. Locally, swine flu has never previously been reported or tested for, but the department has the capability to monitor it.

Management:

  • Health personnel will continue to meet in different operational groups to fine tune local surveillance for swine flu, and manage cases, should they occur.
  • Healthcare workers have been briefed and have access to Frequently Asked Questions to assist the public.
  • Public Health and the Health Services Authority are procuring additional supplies of Tamiflu which will arrive on the Islands by this weekend. Additionally, discussions are being held with the UK for extra supplies.
  • An advisory has been issued to cruise lines, advising that persons with respiratory symptoms should not be allowed to disembark.

You should know:

Tamiflu
Oseltamivir is a flu treatment and prevention drug marketed as Tamiflu. It is indicated for the treatment and prevention of infections due to influenza A and B virus in people at least one year of age. It is not a vaccine for swine flu.

Swine Flu Vaccine
None currently exists. The WHO estimates that it may take 4-6 months before the first batch of vaccine is available to fight the virus.

Swine Flu Treatment
It can be treated by using antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight the flu by keeping its viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within two days of symptoms).