The Director of Sector Health Care, Social & Labor, Jorien Wuite has been informed by the Epidemiologist for the Netherlands Antilles, Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth of 6 additional confirmed cases of H1N1 flu on St. Maarten.
These cases, are confirmed by the Erasmus Medisch Virologisch Laboratorium in Rotterdam. These confirmed cases are primarily related to the previous confirmed case of a medical student at the American University of the Caribbean (AUC).
This indicates that the surveillance and case investigation and follow up of the Preventive Health Department is working effectively. The Preventive Health Department will continue its work throughout the weekend with additional investigations, information and assistance to the affected patients. As a reminder affected patients are urged to remain at home.
A small EOC meeting will be called on Saturday, June 20th with Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards and Commissioner of Health Hyacinth Richardson, to assess the situation and to discuss possible further measures.
The general public will be informed in the coming days with a more extensive Press Briefing. In the meantime persons are reminded to follow hygienic procedures especially persons who are traveling..
The Preventive Health Department advises that if you have been near or around someone with H1N1 flu, or someone with flu-like symptoms, call your House Doctor or call the Preventive Health Department. If you have traveled to or arrived from, Mexico or the USA within the last 7-10 days and have flu-like symptoms, you are required to stay at home and to call your House Doctor or the Preventive Health Department immediately. The phone numbers are as follows: 5422078 or 5423003 or 5204523. Persons can also visit the following websites: www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.who.int for more information on Influenza A (H1N1) virus.
The symptoms of Influenza H1N1 are:
• fever (temperature >38 C); and
• sore throat; and
• cough; and/or
• dyspnoea (difficult or labored breathing);
It is advisable to immediately implement preventive measures at your establishment or home 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.
Diagnosed person should stay indoors and protect his/her family & colleagues.