Health Minister Horace Dalley has actually ordered the activation of the national influenza strategy on the heels of Jamaica recording one death linked to the latest outbreak of the H1N1 virus or Swine Flu.
H1N1 is fairly contagious and potentially fatal. So far, nine cases of the flu have actually been recorded in the past two weeks, while a tenth case is being linked to one more strain of influenza.
The Good health ministry announced that measures are being put in place through the National Emergency Operations Centre to plan the Good health sector for any sort of feasible improve in the variety of influenza cases.
The ministry’s group has actually been instructed to make sure that the vital resources are put in place across every one of the regional Good health authorities.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Winston De La Haye mentioned that the ministry has actually noted an improve in influenza cases over the past 6 weeks. As a result, the H1N1 virus has actually been upgraded to a category one illness. This means that within 24 hours of suspecting a case of significant acute respiratory illness, medical practitioners ought to report it to the Good health authority. Previously, it was regarded as a category two illness, which gave medical practitioners one week to report suspected cases.
“We have actually confirmed 10 cases because the start of the year and so far identified two strains of influenza viruses that are circulating among the population. Nine of the 10 cases are H1N1. That nine involves one death. We have actually been strengthening our units and increasing our supplies of medication to deal along with this increase,” Dr. De La Haye said.
He said additional supplies of Tamiflu used to address H1N1 have actually been acquired along with a lot more supplies to come. The CMO noted, however, that Tamiflu is only used to address symptoms in severely affected patients and does not avoid illness.
Other measures put in place contain frontline staff being offered the flu vaccine, isolation areas in hospitals prepared, additional equipment, testing capacity being increased and increased public education.
Dr. De La Haye is urging citizens to take steps to protect themselves and others from infection by observing right hygiene practices. These include: clean hands regularly along with soap and water; cover mouth and nose once sneezing or coughing; manage the spread of germs: steer clear of touching eyes, nose or mouth along with dirty hands; steer clear of contact along with persons along with flu-love symptoms; and steer clear of intimate contact, including hand shaking and kissing.
WHAT IS INFLUENZA?
Influenza (the flu) is a viral respiratory health problem that presents along with symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache and physique aches and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea might additionally be experienced. Influenza viruses are mainly spread from person to person through droplets developed while coughing or sneezing or by persons touching surfaces contaminated along with droplets.
TYPES OF INFLUENZA
There are three types of influenza viruses:
1. Type A Influenza Virus – This type generally affects the mammal birds love ducks, chicken and in some cases, humans. There are three variants of Type A Influenza viruses: H1N1 (Swine Flu) – H1N1 is fairly contagious and potentially fatal; H1N2 (Asian Flu and Honk Kong Flu) and H1N3.
2. Type B Flu Virus – This type only infects humans and triggers mild fever and is much less harmful compared to Type A Flu.
3. Type C Flu Virus – This type only infects humans and triggers mild respiratory infection infections. The symptoms of Type C influenza resembles the symptoms of the Common Cold and is not pandemic.
HOW IS H1N1 TRANSMITTED
The transmission of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus occurs in the exact same method that the seasonal flu is transmitted. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through:
– Coughing
– Sneezing
– Talking closely to individuals along with the influenza virus
– Kissing
– Handshake
At times, individuals might become infected by touching a surface or object which was touched by an infected person, then they might touch their faces (nose and mouth) and become infected also.
Influenza is transmitted to a healthy and balanced person from an infected person through tiny droplets expelled from a runny nose or throughout sneezing, breathing or coughing. individuals along with weak immune units are a lot more prone to obtaining infected.
Once the virus attaches itself to cell receptors, it replicates in large quantities and invades the entire body.
SYMPTOMS OF H1N1
The most common symptoms include, however not limited to: higher fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle aches and pains, headache, chills, fatigue, irritated eyes, wheezing, vomiting and diarrhoea.
It is feasible for persons to become infected along with the virus and have actually respiratory symptoms however no fever. significant manifestations of the infection and deaths have actually occurred as a result of illnesses associated along with the H1N1 virus.
THOSE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO CONTRACTING H1N1
Children younger compared to 5 years however especially in those younger compared to 5 years; adults 65 years of age and older; pregnant women; and persons along with a weakened immune system, especially those infected along with HIV must take extra precautions, as they are a lot more susceptible to contracting H1N1.
INFECTIOUS PERIOD
Persons infected along with H1N1 are able to infect others from the onset, prior to obtaining sick and up to 5 to seven days after. This period can easily be longer in some individuals, especially Kids and individuals along with weakened immune systems. Patients must steer clear of close contact along with others.
TREATMENT OF H1N1
Recovery from H1N1 is largely dependent on bed rest, cough suppressants, increased fluid consumption, medication for fever and pain.
Severe cases might require intravenous hydration and various other supportive measures. Antiviral agents might additionally be considered for treatment, or as a prophylaxis.
PREVENTION OF CONTRACTING H1N1
Vaccination is the very best method to avoid or reduce the possibilities of becoming infected along with influenza viruses. Two antiviral agents, Zanamivir (Relenza) and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), have actually been reported to insight avoid or reduce the effects of Swine Flu (H1N1) if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
However the type of vaccination administered depends on the epidemiological context.
The effectiveness of Influenza vaccination lasts for regarding a year, after which fresh vaccination is required. The physique develops immunity after about two weeks of vaccination. In addition, the vaccination is efficient only versus certain strains of influenza and might fall short as brand-new strains originate.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
* Preserve up-to-date on advisories from the Ministry of Health
* Persons that make flu-love symptoms must remain estate for seven days after the onset of health problem or at least 24 hours after symptoms have actually resolved.
* In the event you become sick and should remain estate for a week or so, make sure that you have actually adequate supplies of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand sanitisers (if soap and water become unavailable), fluids, tissues and various other related items. This will certainly avoid you coming out in to the public and exposing others to the virus while you are sick and contagious.
* Seek medical care. Persons must contact their Good health care provider to report health problem (by telephone or various other remote, electronic means) prior to seeking care, in person, at a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital.
* Persons that have actually a history of asthma, have actually difficulty breathing or experiencing shortness of breath, or that are believed to be severely ill, must seek immediate medical attention.
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