Friday, 15 May 2009

Global situation:

• As of today, 15 May (06:00 GMT), the World Health Organization (WHO) has received reports of 7520 confirmed cases of influenza A-H1N1 - including 65 deaths - from 34 countries. While this is serious, WHO says the disease has not yet become a pandemic.
• WHO says it needs to see clear evidence of sustained community transmission of the swine flu virus from person-to-person in at least two regions of the world before it raises its alert to the phase six pandemic level.
• Mexico has reported 2446 confirmed cases and 60 deaths.
• The US has reported 4298 cases in 47 states, including 3 deaths. Several states have more than 100 cases: Arizona (431), California (473), Illinois (620), Wisconsin (510), New York (224), Massachusetts (109), Michigan (141), Texas (439), Washington (195).
• Other countries with significant  numbers of confirmed H1N1 cases: Spain (100), UK (71) and Canada( 449).

Local situation:

• While H1N1 flu is spreading fast, for now the virus is seemingly not causing serious illness, says Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar. He added: “Due to our travel connection and tourism industry it is imminent that we will have cases in Cayman, and our goal is to contain H1N1 once it reaches our shores.”
• Cayman will focus on identifying and then containing the H1N1 flu. “The Health Services Authority (HSA) is not dropping its guard. It is not clear whether this was the first wave of the virus, and, possibly, a second, more significant wave might be coming. Therefore, health officials will keep a close eye on the lifecycle of the H1N1 virus,” assured HSA Medical Director Dr Greg Hoeksema.
• Testing: HSA has investigated a total of 16 patients with respiratory infections. All tested negative; eight had a travel history mostly to the US. Locally we can test if it is Influenza A or not. If it is not influenza A, it cannot be H1N1 flu. If it is Influenza A, CAREC can now test for the new H1N1, which means public health officials can get test results back in three days.
• Public Health Desk: Public health nurses are manning the health desk at the airport daily from 11 am until the last flight from the US arrives. So far only one patient has been sent to A&E for assessment. The patient tested negative through local and CAREC tests.
• Incoming travel: One cargo ship arrived on 8 May from Mexico and was met by public health officials. None of the crew had any fever or flu-like symptoms, and they reported that they never went ashore in Mexico.
• Other measures: Public health officials travelled to Cayman Brac and presented awareness sessions for Faith Hospital and District Administration staff.
• It is important to remember that the best personal defence is good hygiene, i.e., frequent hand washing. Good health is also important -- eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising.