The World Health Organization has warned that the Influenza A(H1N1) virus newly identified in 2009 remains a threat to global health and that signs of a possible slowdown in its transmission should not be taken to mean the worst is over.
"These are early days and it is far too soon to make any predictions about how things may develop," said Dr Tee Ah Sian, Director for Combating Communicable Diseases in WHO's Western Pacific Regional Office. "The virus has shown that it is capable of spreading internationally and from human to human. We should be on maximum alert."
Dr Tee said she was heartened by indications that Mexico believed it was now in a position to contain the spread of the virus, but it was still possible it could mutate and accelerate its transmission once more. "We must remember that we are approaching the end of the influenza season in the northern hemisphere, which might explain why the virus seems less active. But who knows what will happen when the cooler weather returns later in the year? "
The influenza season is just beginning in countries in the southern hemisphere. "I certainly don't think we are out of the woods yet, so we are calling on all governments in the Western Pacific to remain on maximum alert," said Dr Tee.
WHO's pandemic alert remains at level 5, one level short of a full pandemic alert.
What’s new in the Western Pacific Region
· Republic of Korea: first confirmed case (announced 2 May)
· Hong Kong: one confirmed case (announced 1 May)
· New Zealand: fourth confirmed case (announced 1 May)
Global case count
As of 06:00 GMT, 4 May 2009, 20 countries have officially reported 985 cases of the influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Mexico has reported 590 confirmed human cases of infection, including 25 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico in the past few days reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens. The United States Government has reported 226 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death.
The following countries and areas have reported laboratory-confirmed cases with no deaths: Austria (1); Canada (85); Colombia (1); Costa Rica (1); Denmark (1); El Salvador (2); France (2); Germany (8); Hong Kong (China) (1); Ireland (1); Israel (3); Italy (1); Netherlands (1); New Zealand (4); Republic of Korea (1); Spain (40); Switzerland (1); and the United Kingdom (15).
Canada on 2 May reported the identification of the A(H1N1) virus in a swine herd in Alberta. It is highly probable that the pigs were exposed to the virus from a Canadian farm worker who had recently returned from Mexico. He exhibited flu-like symptoms and had contact with the pigs. There is no indication of virus adaptation through transfer from human to pigs at this time.
There is currently no evidence of pig to human transmission of this virus. There is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well cooked pork and pork products.
Where to get more information
During public health emergencies, it is important to seek accurate information about the situation. For official information on this evolving situation and for technical and communication guidance for health administrators, health professionals and the general public, please click on the following links:
US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
France – Institut de Veille Sanitaire
Some Frequently Asked Questions
How can I protect myself from influenza A(H1N1)?
Practice general preventive measures for influenza:
· Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and have fever and cough.
· Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.
· Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
What are the recommendations for face masks?
· If you are not sick, you do not have to wear a mask.
· You should wear a mask if you are sick, or when you are caring for a sick person.
· If you do wear a mask, make sure you wear it and dispose of it properly
· Place mask carefully to cover mouth and nose and tie securely to minimise any gaps between the face and the mask
· While in use, avoid touching the mask
· whenever you touch a used mask, for example when removing or washing, clean hands by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based handrub
· Replace masks with a new clean, dry mask as soon as they become damp/humid
· Do not re-use single-use masks; discard them after each use and dispose of them immediately upon removing.
· All home-made masks should be cleaned regularly.
What should I do if I think I have the illness?
If you have not travelled to an affected area and you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:
· Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds.
· Rest and take plenty of fluids.
· Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of the used tissues properly.
· Wash your hands with soap and water often and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
· Inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with people.
· Do not travel.
If you have travelled to an affected area and you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:
· Seek medical attention.
· Contact your doctor or health care provider before travelling to a health facility, and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have influenza A(H1N1) 2009, for example, if you have recently travelled to a country where there is an outbreak in humans. Follow the advice given to you.
· If it is not possible to contact your health care provider in advance, communicate your suspicion of infection as soon as you arrive at the facility.
· Cover your nose and mouth during travel.
How do I care for an ill person at home?
· Separate the ill person from others, at least 1 meter in distance from others.
· Cover your mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Either commercial or home-made materials are fine, as long as they are disposed of or cleaned properly after use.
· Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.
· Improve the air flow where the ill person is staying. Use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes.
· Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents.
· If you are living in a country where influenza A(H1N1) infections have been reported, follow additional advice from your national and local health authorities.
Are some people more at risk?
· More study is needed to determine if some populations (i.e. younger or older people, or people with other medical conditions) could be affected by the outbreak, of if they are at higher risk for severe illness.
· WHO recommends that everyone take precautions to prevent the spread of infection.
Is an effective vaccine already available against the recently identified Influenza A(H1N1) virus?
· No, but work is already underway to develop such a vaccine.
· Influenza vaccines generally contain a dead or weakened form of a circulating virus. The vaccine prepares the body’s immune system to defend against a true infection. For the vaccine to offer the highest level of protection, the virus in it should match the circulating “wild-type” virus as closely as possible.
· Since this H1N1 virus has not been identified before, there is no vaccine currently available made with this particular virus.
· Making a completely new influenza vaccine can take five to six months.
Will currently available seasonal vaccine confer protection against the recently identified Influenza A(H1N1) 2009?
The best scientific evidence available today is incomplete but suggests that seasonal vaccines will confer little or no protection against this 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) virus.
How quickly will vaccines against the recently identified Influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus be available?
The first doses of Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine against this 2009 strain could be available in five to six months from identification of the pandemic strain. The regulatory approval will be conducted in parallel with the manufacturing process. Regulatory authorities have put into place expedited processes that do not compromise on the quality and safety of the vaccine. Delays in production could result from poor growth of the virus strain used to make the vaccine.
Will vaccines against the recently identified Influenza A(H1N1) virus be effective in all population groups?
There are not data on this but there also is no reason to expect that they would not, given current information.
Will the vaccines against the recently identified Influenza A(H1N1) virus be safe?
Licensed vaccines are held to a very high standard of safety. All possible precautions will be taken to ensure safety and new Influenza A(H1N1) vaccines.
Will there be enough vaccine against the recently identified Influenza A(H1N1) 2009 vaccine for everyone?
The estimated time to make enough vaccine to vaccinate the world's population against pandemic influenza will not be known until vaccine manufacturers will have been able to determine how much active ingredient (antigen) is needed to make one dose of effective Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine. In the past two years, influenza vaccine production capacity has increased sharply due to expansion of production facilities as well as advances in research, including the discovery and use of adjuvants. Adjuvants are substances added to a vaccine to make it more effective, thus reducing the amount of active ingredient (antigen) required and allowing more vaccine doses to be produced than before, while using the same amount of antigen.