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National Institute of Health issues alert to limit H1N1 outbreak

By our correspondents
December 28, 2017

Islamabad: Pregnant women, the young, the elderly, the immune-compromised, the overweight and obese, coupled with people suffering from chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, cardiac and lung diseases are at high risk of developing complications due to H1N1 infection, the National Institute of Health (NIH) warned Wednesday through an advisory issued in the wake of a localised outbreak in different parts of Pakistan.

“The objective of this advisory is to sensitize healthcare authorities and facilities to strengthen and improve the level of preparedness in prevention, control and management of influenza,” states a press release issued by the Field Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Division of NIH.

Nine cases of H1N1 have been reported in different parts of the country, especially in southern Punjab where a localised outbreak has been reported.

The advisory directs health professionals to be vigilant in the detection of any suspected influenza-like illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases.

For anyone who is sick or has been in close contact with persons having flu-like illness, the advisory contains preventing measures to limiting the H1N1 transmission.

These measures include frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizer; avoidance of touching the nose, mouth or eyes as the virus survives on common surfaces; taking rest, avoiding crowds; staying home for young school children; and covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

The advisory also recommends caution in terms of contaminating ones hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of th elbow.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses particularly in high-risk groups.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for pregnant women (highest priority), children aged 6-59 months, elderly people, individuals with chronic medical conditions and healthcare workers.