WHO raises influenza H1N1 to pandemic alert

Local plans in place

[June 11, 2009]  The World Health Organization has raised its watch of influenza H1N1 to phase 6 status. The shift to the highest alert is representative that the illness has become more widespread.

Summary highlights from WHO's 11 a.m. news conference on Thursday:

Dr. Margarett Chan, director general, said the following for WHO:

In late April a novel influenza virus was detected that was not circulated previously in humans. It is contagious and is known to have infected 30,000 people in 74 countries.

This has been established with good surveillance and testing. Spread in some countries can no longer be traced.

It has met scientific criteria that has led to the decision to move from phase 5 to phase 6. Today (June 11) is the start of 2009 pandemic.

Encouragingly, she said, "No previous pandemic has been detected so early. The world can now reap the benefits of preparing over the past five years."

She credited the awareness and ability to respond early to "close monitoring thorough investigation and frank reporting from countries."

The virus causing the illness can "change quickly and change the rules, anytime," she cautioned.

Care is being taken to watch the virus closely as it could become more virulent in a second wave that could come as early as this fall. She said that in the early days symptoms can be mild but can increase in severity, and severe illness can progress rapidly in the individual. "We do not expect to see a sudden jump in severe infections," she said.

Seasonal influenza commonly affects elderly and immune-compromised individuals.

With this flu, half to one-third of the infections are in previously healthy individuals. She said that there is particular concern for pregnant women.

A characteristic of pandemic illness is the spread to all parts of the world. In the past it has taken six to nine months for a flu to reach pandemic scale. That was when there was less travel. There are more people traveling today.

The focus should be on treating patients. Medications and treatment are better than in times past and available in most countries.

Seasonal vaccines will be available soon. A pandemic vaccine will become available in the months to come. It takes four to six months to make a vaccine. No country would have vaccine available before September.

"We are all in this together and we will all get through this together," she concluded.

What does the shift from phase 5 to 6 mean?

• It is an important message to countries to maintain continuous vigilance.

• Countries that have not seen the infection should start watching and start preparing.

• The largest threat is to developing countries.

• Countries should come together to help countries with less resources.

Dr. Feijui Fukuda said that the virus will circulate for the next two years and is expected to weaken in time.

WHO is recommending no restriction on travel, no border closures and no trade bans.

In the U.S. and locally

In the U.S., measures have already been taken to prevent the spread of the illness and treat the infected. Illinois activated its strategic national pharmaceutical stockpile, and medications, including anti-virals, were delivered to communities.

U.S. health authorities are recommending a common-sense approach, just as with seasonal flu. Preparations are in place if mass distribution of medications or inoculation would be needed.

Limit the spread of disease: Stay at home when you are sick. Use a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Most importantly, practice good hand-washing. Be sure to teach these good habits to children.

Take five ways to plan

The Logan County Pandemic Influenza Community Coalition and the Logan County Department of Public Health recommend that you follow these five easy steps to protect yourself and your family.

• Take five days to rest -- If you get the flu during a pandemic, health officials estimate it will take about five to seven days to recover.

• Medication -- Have a supply of any prescription drugs you take on hand. Also, have nonprescription drugs and other health supplies available, such as stomach remedies, medicine for fever, cough and cold medicines, and fluids with electrolytes.

• Communicate and stay informed -- Listen for health reports on the radio or television. Go to www.lcdph.org for information.  Keep an emergency contact list for family, friends or others who might need your care.

• Store food and water -- Store one gallon of water per person per day to cover at least three days. Keep kitchen stocked with canned meats, fruit, vegetables and soup, as well as nonperishable food like granola bars, peanut butter and dried fruit. If there is an infant to care for, be sure to have baby food, formula and other supplies on hand. Store extra pet food for animals.

• Emergency kit -- Keep an emergency kit in case other emergencies arise, like a power outage. Items to include, in addition to items already mentioned, are batteries, flashlight, battery-powered radio, first-aid kit, prescription medicine, extra money, credit cards and sturdy trash bags. Put items in a container that can be easily handled.

For more information, visit www.lcdph.org/panflu.html or www.pandemicflu.gov or call the Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317.

[LDN]

(Logan County officials prepare for swine flu)