Fiji: Phase 5 alert prompts swine flu meet

[Sally Furniss]

Phase 5 alert prompts swine flu meet
1-May-2009 11:41 AM

THE national taskforce appointed to steer Fiji?s preparation for a possible swine flu pandemic met yesterday following the international alert being raised to phase 5.

Health Ministry?s spokesman Iliesa Tora said the meeting would allow representatives of the various departments and sectors to update the
taskforce on how far preparations had proceeded.

The World Health Organisation raised its pandemic alert for swine flu to the second highest level, meaning that it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent.

WHO says the phase 5 alert means there is sustained human to human spread in at least two countries. It also signals that efforts to produce a vaccine will be ramped up.

Phase 6, the highest in the scale is for a full-scale pandemic.

Authorities are urging everyone with flu symptoms to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Based on past experience, WHO says developing countries are likely to experience the more severe diseases as a result of an influenza pandemic.

http://fijidailypost.com/news.php?section=1&fijidailynews=23344

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Fiji: Phase 5 alert prompts swine flu meet

Departments on swine flu defence mode
30-Apr-2009 09:24 AM

SIX ministries are coming together to to fight off the life-threatening virus - swine influenza.

Speaking at the press conference yesterday at the Ministry of Health, the media was told that the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Quarantine, Tourism and the Customs department will work together to strengthen the border control and to keep Fiji a safe place for the people.

As the virus continues to claim lives in Mexico and many other states, they are now working together to keep Fiji safe from the virus.

Moreover, World Health Organisation official, Dr Jaico Kool said Fiji was prepared for the virus.

?Fiji has prepared well and will be able to detect the swine influenza if it does happen to spread in Fiji,? he said.

?In Fiji it is possible that the swine influenza is present in patients, but it is not confirmed yet, and therefore we need to be precautious,? Kool added.

In addition, the Ministry of Health?s Dr Ravai said that health officers were monitoring the airports and other sectors.

Many returning from the affected countries will be checked at the Nadi International Airport.

?We are just like other countries and we have planes going over our countries from other countries so we need to take better precaution before the worse comes,? he said.

He also added that border control is a protective measure that will fight against the virus.

Fiji has stocks of anti-virus and more orders are being made.

http://www.fijidailypost.com

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Fiji: Phase 5 alert prompts swine flu meet

State's flu ready

By RITESHNI SINGH
Monday, May 11, 2009

Health facilities around the country are now on full alert as the Influenza A (H1N1) continues to spread around the world.
Ministry of Health spokesman Iliesa Tora said that although the disease was not spreading as quickly as anticipated, the danger remained, especially for countries in the South Pacific like Fiji where winter was just settling in.
The World Health Organisation has confirmed 25 countries have 2500 laboratory confirmed cases.
"That is the danger for us here in Fiji. This is our winter time and it is just beginning," Mr Tora said.
Mr Tora said that was why the Ministry of Health had worked hard in getting all health facilities ready to treat and manage flu cases and keep an open eye out for influenza A (H1N1).
He said the ministry's clinical manual which contained treatment procedures would be finalised soon and given to all clinicians.
"At the same time we have also conducted training in the West and the North so we are getting our service ready," he said.
New Zealand has confirmed five cases so far with South Korea's record now showing three confirmed cases and Canada confirming 214 cases.
"That's worrying for us because flights get into our country from these places," Mr Tora said.
Mexico has reported 1204 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 48 deaths. The United States has reported 896 laboratory confirmed human cases, including two deaths.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (one), Brazil (four), Canada (214), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (one), Colombia (one), Costa Rica (one), Denmark (one), El Salvador (two), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (one), Ireland (one), Israel (seven), Italy (six), Netherlands (three), New Zealand (five), Poland (one), Portugal (one), Republic of Korea (three), Spain (88), Sweden (one), Switzerland (one) and the United Kingdom (34).
WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the virus.
Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care.
These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=121082