GREAT BAY --- St. Maarten has joined the other parts of the world by recording its first confirmed case of the H1NI swine flu. The first case of H1N1 flu has been reported on St. Maarten and the public is urged to use preventative measures to combat the illness.
On June 12, 2009, Sector Public Health, Social Development and Labor received a call from a family physician indicating that a person departed the island on June 6th, 2009 and is quarantine in Japan on June 11th, 2009 is confirmed with H1N1.
Based on this report and a number of flu cases on the AUC (American University of the Caribbean) premises, the Preventive Health department executed a follow-up, whereby a team of registered nurses visited the university to identify persons who had flu-like symptoms and who have had contact with the confirmed case of H1N1 and/or who have traveled in the past 7 to 10 days. During this follow-up, one sample was collected and sent to Rotterdam. The person was advised to remain at home which is located somewhere on the French side of the island.
On June 16th the National Epidemiologist Dr. Izzy Gertzenbluth reported to the Director of Sector Public Health, Social Development and Labor that the sample is confirmed. The patient and her room mate received Tami-flu. At this point in time, the AUC will remain open.
The Preventive Health Department continues to monitor the development of the situation at American University of the Caribbean.
The Preventive Health Department urges persons, who are experiencing flu-like symptoms and have traveled to or arrived from countries other than Mexico and the USA within 7-10 days, or has had contact with a confirmed H1N1 patient to stay at home and call their physician or the Preventive Health Department at 5422078 or 5423003 or 5204523. Visit the following websites: www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.who.int for more information on Influenza A (H1N1) virus.
The Netherlands Antilles has expanded the case definition to include the USA as well as Mexico or who has had contact with a confirmed H1N1 patient.
CASE DEFINITION:
A suspected case of H1N1 is defined as a fever and respiratory illness (ARI) case with recent travel to an affected area (for the Dutch Side it is Mexico and the United States of America). Who have had contact with a confirmed H1N1 case or had close contact with a person with a history of travel to an affected area within 7-10 days of onset of symptoms.
On June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.
More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. This number has been increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.
WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. It’s uncertain at this time how serious or severe this novel H1N1 pandemic will be in terms of how many people infected will develop serious complications or die from novel H1N1 infection. Experience with this virus so far is limited and influenza is unpredictable. However, because novel H1N1 is a new virus, many people may have little or no immunity against it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against novel H1N1 virus.
In the United States, most people who have become ill with the newly declared pandemic virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment, however, CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this pandemic in the coming days and weeks. In addition, this virus could cause significant illness with associated hospitalizations and deaths in the fall and winter during the U.S. influenza season.
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that first caused illness in Mexico and the United States in March and April, 2009. It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus, but it may also be spread by touching infected objects and then touching your nose or mouth. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a wide range of flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
The first novel H1N1 patient in the United States was confirmed by laboratory testing at CDC on April 15, 2009. The second patient was confirmed on April 17, 2009. It was quickly determined that the virus was spreading from person-to-person. On April 22, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to better coordinate the public health response. On April 26, 2009, the United States Government declared a public health emergency and has been actively and aggressively implementing the nation’s pandemic response plan.
Since the outbreak was first detected, an increasing number of U.S. states have reported cases of novel H1N1 influenza with associated hospitalizations and deaths. By June 3, 2009, all 50 states in the United States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were reporting cases of novel H1N1 infection. While nationwide U.S. influenza surveillance systems indicate that overall influenza activity is decreasing in the country at this time, novel H1N1 outbreaks are ongoing in parts of the U.S., in some cases with intense activity.
CDC is continuing to watch the situation carefully, to support the public health response and to gather information about this virus and its characteristics. The Southern Hemisphere is just beginning its influenza season and the experience there may provide valuable clues about what may occur in the Northern Hemisphere this fall and winter.
Case of Influenza A (H1N1)
Person with acute lower respiratory tract illness of abrupt onset, characterized by:
• fever (temperature >38 C); and
• sore throat; and
• cough; and/or
• dyspnoea (difficult or labored breathing);
AND one or more of the following:
a) Recent travel to Mexico or the United States (within seven days prior to the onset of symptoms);
b) Having been in contact within seven days prior to the onset of symptoms with
person(s) suspected or confirmed with Novel Influenza A (H1N1).
It is advisable to immediately implement preventive measures at your establishment such as:
1. Washing hands. Washing hands often help protect a person from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner/sanitizer. It is recommended that when you wash your hands with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds.
2. Persons should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
3. Dispose used tissue properly in the waste baskets and wash hands thereafter.
4. Frequently disinfect hard useable surfaces such as door knobs, counter tops, desks, phones etc.
5. Provide napkins, hand sanitizers on a regular basis for your staff and clientele.
6. Avoid close contact with sick persons diagnosed with H1N1.
7. Persons who have flu-like symptoms and have traveled in the last 7 to 10 days should stay at home and immediately contact their general practitioner/physician or the Public Health Department.
8. Diagnosed person should stay indoors and protect his/her family & colleagues.