Swine Flu Concerns: How Are You Protecting Yourself and Your Community?

Hi guys,

So what steps have you all taken to tackle the flu pandemic?

Here are a few facts about swine flu, the symptoms, and safety measures that can be taken to control it.

What is it? It is a virus that mutated from pigs and was transmitted to some humans.

Which places have been affected? Mexico City, California, and Texas so far.

How many have been killed? 103 people in Mexico City.

How many have been infected? Mexican authorities are investigating 1,614 suspected cases. The flu is spreading with 20 cases in the United States and four in Canada. New Zealand reported 15 new suspected cases.

Is there a cure? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website states that there is no vaccine to specifically protect humans from swine flu, only to protect pigs. Although GlaxoSmithKline Plc's flu treatment Relenza and Roche Holding AG's Tamiflu appear effective against the strains of the virus the CDC has tested.

What are authorities doing to contain the virus? The World Health Organization went on high alert, dispatching top experts to the United States and Mexico. The CDC has also set up emergency operation centers.

Signs and symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Fever with a rash (among children)
- Bluish skin color (among children)

Easy ways to protect against infection:
Little can be done to prevent an outbreak of flu from spreading, health experts caution, but they say common-sense measures can help individuals protect themselves. Practice the following:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Cover your cough or sneeze
- Use alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers
- If you have flu-like symptoms, stay away from work or public transportation
- Social distancing. Stay away from people who might be infected.

Dear Bakshi,

It is not necessary to go to Mexico to get the flu. It is spreading all over the world. So be alert and take precautions. 😊😊

Swine Flu:

1. General Situation

Since 17 March 2009, there has been growing number of cases and deaths confirmed due to swine flu. There have been no cases of human and animal cases of Swine Flu in Nepal. Cases so far reported are from Mexico, USA, Canada, UK, Israel, Spain, New Zealand, Germany and Austria.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. The cases can rapidly progress to severe and unusual pneumonia.

It is believed to spread in the same way as seasonal influenza. That means through direct contact (being within one meter of an infected person) or indirect contact (touching a contaminated surface). Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. There has been reporting of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe pneumonia cases in Mexico and USA. This virus is susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir.

2. Action taken by the Government of Nepal

In response to the outbreak of the flu reported from Mexico and subsequently from other parts of the world, the government immediately held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and actions to be taken by the government. Regular meetings are held at the MoHP. MOHP has deployed a team of medical doctors and epidemiology experts at the TIA to make sure that the passengers with suspected cases of swine flu are screened through incoming passengers.

The government of Nepal has been planning and coordinating the entire process through situation monitoring and assessment for reducing the spread of disease and by ensuring provision of continuity of Health Care Provision. The need for good communication has also been emphasized. Series of Planning and Coordination Meetings has been held between MoHP, WHO, UNICEF other line ministries, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Airport Authority, Security Forces, Civil Aviation, other hospitals and stakeholders.

As GoN has adopted International Health Regulations (IHR - 2005) in 2007, the GoN is receiving the global update from the WHO IHR focal points of Country Office, Regional Office and HQ. Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) is closely monitoring the global situation. EDCD along with AICP has intensified the surveillance activities, activated central, regional and district RRTs. National Public Health Labrorary (NPHL) is on high alert and coordinating with regional referral laboratory to ensure timely diagnosis and confirmation, should the outbreak occur in Nepal.

MoHP has contingency plan for pandemic preparedness and has alerted all the health facilities.

3. Action taken by UN agencies in Nepal

The World Health Organization has raised the alert over swine flu to level five - one short of a full-blown global epidemic, or pandemic. A phase five alert means human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. WHO is in constant contact with health authorities in Member States and receiving regular updates. WHO has activated Strategic Health Operation Centers at HQ and Regional Offices. WHO Director General has convened an IHR Emergency Committee Meeting comprised of international experts to assess the situation and recommend response measures. WHO Nepal has alerted IHR Focal Point and is providing technical guidance to Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal. The SOPs for health desk personnel, ground personnel, flight crew has been developed and provided the SOPs of Infection Control and Case Management. The medical team has been identified and has been trained on SOPs and the screening of passengers has already started.

UNICEF is supporting MoHP to draft the press releases, key messages for the public as the situation evolves; to conduct media briefings and to produce Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials. Preventive messages are being developed and will be released through mass media like TV and radio. Other UN Agencies will be supporting the Government as required.

UN Avian Influenza Task Force (UNITF) held an emergency meeting today to discuss the current situation and possible threat of Swine Flu in the country. The Task Force also discussed on how UN agencies were providing support to the Government of Nepal and on the actions to be taken by UN Country Team for the safety of staff members. The meeting was chaired by the WHO Representative, Dr. Alexander Andjaparidze in presence of the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Robert Piper and Chief Security Adviser, Mr. Bjarne Lauritzen.

The RC/DO today activated the UN Pandemic Management Team to respond to the Phase 5 pandemic alert situation. The PMT will meet on Friday 1 May to take decision on actions to be taken in order to respond appropriately. Agency heads have been requested to update staff lists and share with DSS.

4. Advice for Personal Protection of Staff and Dependants

Pandemic Phase 5 means that a global pandemic may be imminent. As such, staff will need to take precautionary measures to protect him/herself and their families and community from spreading the disease.

The following steps are advised by WHO

1. To reduce a risk of contracting influenza

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Avoid crowded places in general.

• Avoid handshaking, social kissing and other social rituals involving touching others

• Don't share eating utensils and drinking glasses

• Try to stay in good health, by getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food.

2. When you feel sick

If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.



In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Not waking up or not interacting

• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

End

BCP BULLETIN – HEALTH RELATED: SWINE FLU OUTBREAK

· There has been an outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico and has spread to other countries such as US, New Zealand, Egypt, France, Australia, UK and Canada.
· Swine Influenza, or swine flu, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses; The swine influenza viruses are species specific and normally infect pigs, but sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans.
· Under the rules of the International Health Regulations, Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
· The current alert level is stated to be at 4 by WHO which signify a phase of Sustained Human to Human Transmission.

AWARENESS / ATTENTION: Government of India steps

· Indian Government has put on alert all international airports and ports for identifying persons with suspected infection; Those traveling to the affected areas namely, Mexico, US, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, France and UK have been advised to defer the non-essential journeys; The Indian government has also taken steps to check the individuals travelling from the impacted locations for flu symptoms.
· Associates located in countries outside India are encouraged to monitor the appropriate Government bulletins on a very regular basis.

___________ UPDATE:

· We at __________ are monitoring the situation closely as part of associates' health and safety from a Business Continuity perspective and are in touch with HR Leaders deputed in these countries.
· Advisories have been sent to the associates residing in these countries and other associates intending to travel to these areas are being sensitized about this alarming situation.
· Attached - Copy of the FAQ on Swine Flu released by WHO for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
· Additional details are available at http://www.who.int/en/
We will keep you posted on the developments at appropriate intervals.