CPS urges preventive hygienic measures to prevent flu
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert recently alerting all Western Hemisphere public health agencies including Sint Maarten with respect to increased influenza-like illness and hospitalizations reported in the Northern Hemisphere.
Currently the predominant virus is influenza A(H1N1) which is considered a seasonal virus, signifying that it will continue to circulate like other influenza viruses.
The Public Health Agency of Canada reported an increase in influenza activity. For the United States, influenza-like illness started to increase in the latter half of December and the mortality from pneumonia and influenza was below the epidemic threshold. Although national influenza activity is low, some Southern areas in the United States began reporting increasing influenza activity and further increases are expected in the coming weeks.
PAHO recommends to Member States to ensure adequate clinical management of patients, the implementation of prevention and control measures, while enhancing the preparedness of their health services to cope with a potential flux of patients. PAHO and the World Health Organization do not recommend any travel restrictions including screening at points of entry.
Countries are asked to continue their surveillance efforts to detect any unusual behaviour of the influenza virus and to identify any new subtypes emerge.
The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, recommends for high risk groups to get their seasonal flu vaccination if they haven’t already.
As part of the Minister of Public Health’s "Get Checked," campaign, influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads very easily from person to person, and can affect anybody in any age group.
"Check with your physician to see whether or not you are part of the high risk group and be proactive. Get vaccinated and take measures to prevent you from getting the flu," Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Hon. Cornelius de Weever said.
For influenza like conditions the syndromes under surveillance are "fever and respiratory" and "undifferentiated fevers."
Influenza is a serious public health problem that causes severe illnesses and deaths for higher risk populations. Vaccination (flu shot) is the most effective way to prevent infection.
Members of the community are advised to check with their family physician on their seasonal flu vaccine and are strongly advised to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their family members from infection at home and especially traveling by maintaining high standards of personal hygiene.
Persons with fever in consultation with their physician should take the necessary preventive measures. Follow the advice given by your physician; take your medicine as prescribed if you forgot what the physician told you, call him/her; sneeze or cough in your arm sleeve or a tissue; and wash your hands frequently.
The primary form of influenza transmission is through interpersonal contact. Washing hands is the most effective way of reducing transmission.