Thread: h1n1 mark II

Originally Posted by JDNSW

But during this epidemic, according to Wikipedia "Several Pacific island territories were particularly hard-hit. ....Worst affected was Western Samoa, a territory then under New Zealand military administration. A crippling 90% of the population was infected; 30% of adult men, 22% of adult women and 10% of children were killed. By contrast, the flu was kept away from American Samoa by a commander who imposed a blockade."

But I agree today border controls are likely to be quite ineffective - too many people doing too much travel too quickly.

John

But was it conclusively proven that it was the border controls or luck that made the difference. If it was bird fly it wouldn't have helped...

I think this guy's point was fairly US-centric, and possibly not correct for small island nations which really cannot shut themself off.

He went further to say that border closures would have more critical implications:
Most Respirators sold in the US are made/assembled in mexico. When it came to the crunch there was only a 1-week stockpile in the US.
Likewise, for many critical medications such as insulin, there is a 1-week stockpile at best. There is the potential for many more deaths than the flu would cause if borders are closed indefinitely.

I was in HK when the outbreak was really happening (they had a whole hotel locked up). Apparently there are several versions of masks for particular diseases out there.

Over there masks are worn more as a way of protecting others. In every MTR station on a constant loop "if you have a cough or a cold - wear a mask! Wash hands and don't spread germs at a time like this".

If you have a cold everyone expects you to wear a mask!

Originally Posted by Numpty's Missus

Not such a bad idea really They are more closely packed in over there but here, go to movies, concerts, the Easter show, Big Day out etc etc and you are close packed with all sorts of germs

Even though I work for the railway and get free travel, I rarely travel by train.

Nearly every time I do, I get a cold.

I avoid shopping centres, too.

IMO there is no coordinated effort being made to reduce the spread of H1N1 at the level of General Public or Health System. Responses are varied to say the least.

From what I have witnessed, I am thinking (hoping)that a lot of the concern over this will be out of proportion and that H1N1 will not claim anymore people than other forms of the flu.

No, I am not an expert and as such have no real knowledge, except what information is passed down to me. We are gloved, masked and robed in all confirmed cases for transporting, but on arrival it is clear no effort to contain has been made and IMO this flu will continue until it has run its course.

Cheers

The Department of Health has now moved to the "Protect" mode if you want information go to the NSW Health Department Website (other States will have similar) H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza) - NSW Department of Health

The summary of the Protect Phase is transcribed below:

"WHAT DOES THE ‘PROTECT’ PHASE MEAN
Introduction
On advice from the Australian Government and in consultation with the other States and Territories, NSW will move to the new PROTECT Phase on 17 June 2009. This key aims of the PROTECT phase are to:

• identify people who may be at risk of more severe illness, in order to provide them with early treatment for influenza
• treat people with moderate or severe influenza-related illness
• control outbreaks in high-risk settings, such as special schools and residential care facilities.

The advice to move to the new PROTECT phase recognises that illness from the H1N1 influenza 09 virus is not as severe as originally described when the virus was first identified. The disease is mild in most cases, severe in some and moderate overall. The overwhelming majority of people who develop illness from the H1N1 influenza virus are making a rapid and full recovery.

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant assures the community that NSW Health will continue working to provide the best possible health response based on the most up-todate scientific evidence.

Given the new focus of the PROTECT phase, certain measures employed at earlier stages of the national response have been adjusted to ensure they support the change in response.

Summary
There is now a focus on early identification and treatment of those with underlying medical conditions, and for all people who have moderate or severe disease. People who are sick will be strongly advised to stay at home until symptoms resolve. People who have moderate illness should see their GP immediately. People with severe illness should go to their nearest emergency department.

People who only develop mild illness and who are otherwise well will not require treatment with anti-influenza medicine. This treatment is only being given to those people who suffer from other conditions that may make them vulnerable to more serious illness.

Border measures which aimed to delay entry of the virus will now be redirected to providing information to travellers. Information will include advice about what to do if you develop symptoms of influenza and how to protect yourself if you get sick.

Some other measures that may have been used for a more severe influenza virus will not be used. Measures that will not be used include the cancellation of mass gatherings and widespread school closures.

Contacts of people with human swine influenza will no longer be required to go into quarantine.

As most people in the community have no immunity to this new influenza virus, the coming influenza season may be more serious than previous years, especially for those in vulnerable groups.

The disease needs to be watched closely for any changes that indicate it may be becoming more severe. The spread of the virus will be tracked through national surveillance systems.

The NSW health system’s goal in the PROTECT phase is to minimise the impact of an influenza pandemic on the health of the community and the health sector. Measures will include:

• Promoting individual protection measures through widespread public education campaigns.
• Informing the public as to what they should do at home, school and in the workplace during this time. Those who are sick with influenza should not go to work or school. People who are sick should wash their hands regularly and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.
• Early detection and treatment of people with moderate and severe disease.
• Advising people with mild symptoms to stay at home until their symptoms resolve.
• Management of outbreaks in “high risk settings” such as special schools.

Published by NSW Health 17 June 2009"

Hope this is informative!
Diana