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Tuesday, 5 May 2009

H1N1 Flu Update

  • The name of the virus causing the current outbreak is Influenza A(H1N1). For ease it is commonly called H1N1 Flu. The CDC, WHO, health professionals, and pork producers all feel the name “swine flu” is wrong since the virus contains human, bird and swine factors.
  • Health alert notices will be placed at all ports of entry. These notices are already posted at Owen Roberts International Airport for the benefit of staff and passengers. Plus there is a health desk at Owen Roberts where
    • Arriving passengers, who feel they might have the flu, can get help.
    • Front line staff from airlines, Immigration and Customs can get information.
  • HSA can now do a basic test to see if a person has the flu. The test results are available in 3-4 hours.

      What does this mean in the current situation?

    • If the test is positive for Influenza A (the flu comes in two major types – A and B), the test will be sent to CAREC in Trinidad. The person is now considered to be a suspect case, if the person has travel history to an affected area in the past seven days.
    • If CAREC determines it’s H1, the person is a probable case and the test goes to the CDC in Atlanta.
    • The CDC puts the last piece in place – the N1. Influenza A(H1N1) is the virus causing the current outbreak.
    • There have been no suspected cases of H1N1 Flu in the Cayman Islands.
  • Persons who test positive for Influenza A will be treated with Tamiflu and asked to isolate themselves at home, staying away from family members and not going to work or to any public places. If they are severely ill, they will be admitted to the hospital.
  • HSA held briefing sessions for the staff and private physicians and will continue periodic updates. Briefing sessions will soon be held with 911, Customs, Immigration, health professionals in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, and others.
  • Tamiflu sufficient to treat 2,492 persons arrived Saturday – the day before the CDC distributed 25% of the USA’s strategic national stockpile of antivirals to various states.
  • The Cayman Islands National Influenza Pandemic Committee (CINIPC) is collaborating with HMCI. The full resources of HMCI may be called upon as the situation develops; right now HMCI’s director, Dr. Barbara Carby, and the Joint Communications Service (JCS) are working with the CINIPC.
  • The CINIPC advised the Chamber of Commerce and the public relations unit of the Portfolio of Economics and Finance to inform their stakeholders that now is a good time to review business continuity plans. The message also went to the Portfolio of the Civil Service.
  • An additional 2,000 copies of The Cayman Islands Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan, sponsored by Sagicor, will be printed, so the plan can be made widely available. It’s already on the CaymanPrepared website.
  • Any vessel or aircraft which enters the Cayman Islands directly from Mexico will be met by public health officials. Passengers and crew will be screened before clearance by Immigration.
  • It is important to remember that the best personal defence is good hygiene, i.e. frequent hand washing; as well as good health -- eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising.