WHO declares outbreak of human cases of influenza A/H1 N1 public health emergency

PESHAWAR: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared outbreak of human cases of influenza A/H1 N1 a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under IHR 2005 in Pakistan.

The WHO also issued an advisory to sensitise the health authorities to strengthen and improve the level of preparedness in prevention, control and management of influenza. During August 2010, WHO affirmed H1N1 post pandemic phase and declared it as a seasonal flu virus.

It has also been observed that the virus activity is continuously enhancing in South East Asia including Pakistan with all seasonal influenza subtypes present in the region.

According to WHO, Influenza viruses belong to orthomyxoviridae family of viruses. There are three influenza virus types (A, B, C) in which types A and B are important for humans. Type A viruses cause highest morbidity and mortality. Seasonal influenza is caused by a number of circulating influenza viruses such as influenza-A (H1 N1, H3N2, H2N2) and influenza B.

The pandemic influenza A (H1 N1) pdm 2009 virus continues to cause outbreaks of seasonal influenza in neighbouring countries of Pakistan.

In the wake of upsurge of influenza A, H1N1 pdm09 cases in the different parts of country especially southern Punjab where localized outbreak have been reported, it is imperative to be vigilant in the detection of any suspected influenza like illness (Ill) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases especially in elders, very young, overweight! obese, immunecompromised and people with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, cardiac and lungs diseases and pregnant women who are at high risk for developing complications due to H1N1 infection.

According to the advisory, if someone is sick or have been in close-contact with persons having flu-like illness, they should follow prevention measures that are recommended to be disseminated for awareness. The preventive measures include frequent and thorough hand-washing with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes as the virus survives on common surfaces.

Taking rest, avoiding crowds and staying at home for young children from school if he or she is sick and avoid mixing and playing with other children.

Covering one’s mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of your elbow. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses particularly in high risk groups.

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

The treatment is mainly supportive. However in hospitalized patients, early antiviral treatment has helped to shorten the duration of illness.

Antiviral treatment (Oseltamivirl Tamiflu) is recommended for any patient with confirmed or suspected influenza who is hospitalized or has severe, complicated, or progressive illness; or is at higher risk for influenza complications.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director General Health and Services Dr Mohammad Ayub Rose said they have been receiving reports of the virus from different of the province, saying awareness was key to avoiding outbreak of the virus.

Dr Ayub Rose said they had already informed their health managers and alerted field workers and were closely working with the WHO to prevent and control influenza A/H1N1 infections.