Members of the Executive Council and a core group of the island's Emergency Disaster Preparedness & Management Organization headed by Governor Franklyn Richards as chairman, met at the Government Administration Building on Friday morning to be briefed about current state of affairs and to get an update on preparations.
The activation of the EOC comprising of 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) was necessary to execute the national influenza pandemic preparedness plan with respect to steps outlined in it and to continue to remain on high alert.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Committee announced on Wednesday that based on assessment of all available data on confirmed outbreaks of a deadly new strain of the flu virus Influenza A (H1N1), the WHO has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5.
Phase 5 means the virus is spreading from human to human in communities with outbreaks. A pandemic flu is a type of influenza that occurs every few decades and which spreads rapidly to affect most countries and regions around the world.
Sector Public Health (ESF-6) on Friday morning met with representatives at their offices in the Vineyard Building from the St. Maarten Medical Center, Family Physicians, and SLS Laboratory to discuss institutional plans, approach response to an outbreak, and a review of the inventory of resources (material, equipment) for first responders and other health care staff.
The Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles has been able to secure from Holland 25,000 courses of antiviral medication that can be taken to treat the virus once the person is infected. St. Maarten is to receive 6,250 courses of antiviral medication.
Residents are being advised to maintain high standards of hygiene in order to avoid getting the flu virus. At this moment, there are no cases of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus on the island.
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid contact with sick people.
The symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with the virus.
Persons who have flu-like-illness should remain at home and contact their family physician via telephone who will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. For people developing symptoms following international travel should follow the same procedure. People who are ill are recommended to postpone travel.
Most cases of influenza A (H1N1) so far reported around the world appear to be mild. There is currently no vaccine for the new strain of flu but severe cases can be treated with antiviral medication.
The Preventive Health Department has intensified surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.
"I appeal to the nation to continue to exercise vigilance and proper hygiene. The Island Government continues to prepare for a global pandemic and everything is being done to minimize any possible impact on our island. There is no reason to panic," Commissioner of Public Health Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Friday.
Persons seeking additional information should contact Sector Public Health at telephone numbers: 542-3003 or 542-3553 or visit the following websites: www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.who.int. for more information on Influenza A(H1N1) virus also referred to as swine flu.
