Philipsburg- Commissioner of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus says that St. Maarten is prepared to handle any case of Influenza A (H1N1) Virus also commonly known as Swine Flu.
Recently a group of registered nurses received training in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as recommendations to collect lab samples for diagnosis.
A group of Registered Nurses (RN) will be the ones to respond with first responders to investigate a possible case of Influenza A (H1N1) Virus.
Upon receiving the call the RNs confirm the information by asking questions and completing a questionnaire. The person is asked to remain at home and take the necessary preventive measures.
The RN is consultation with the identified general practitioner will visit the patient at home to collect a sample and additional information, and give the necessary preventive measures to the care taker and family members.
"Health authorities are fully prepared to deal with an outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) Virus. It is with the cooperation of the public that we can together help prevent the spread of the virus in St. Maarten and prevent unnecessary illness.
"Even though H1N1 is not making headline news like it did several weeks ago, it is continuing to spread globally and the World Health Organization (WHO) is considering raising its pandemic alert level to phase 6, the highest level.
"According to the WHO, the threat of A (H1N1) Virus becoming a pandemic virus is even greater than it was two or three weeks ago and global health authorities are closely watching how the infection is developing outside of the Americas.
"Residents are strongly urged to continue to follow the recommended high standards of personal hygiene," Commissioner of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).
The WHO continues to maintain a pandemic alert phase 5 level which means the virus is spreading from human to human in communities with outbreaks, but is mostly restricted to a single geographic region, in this case North America.
At this moment, there are no cases of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus on the island.
High standards of personal hygiene entail covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and washing your hand frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., after sneezing and coughing).
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.
Persons who have traveled in the preceding seven days to affected countries should seek immediate medical attention once they develop influenza-like symptoms. You are advised to stay at home and contact your family physician. This will help minimize the risk of infecting those around them, especially people who are at a higher risk of severe illness and complications of influenza.
Members of the public are advised to exercise caution over travel to affected areas. In the event that travel is unavoidable, the public is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times.
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 (PHD) has requested physicians to be on alert and to report any suspected cases so that the necessary steps can be activated. The PHD is also reminding persons to execute the necessary preventive measures at all times.
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.
