Gov. Eloy S. Inos has inked a partnership with the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and other agencies to ratchet up the CNMI's readiness against a novel avian influenza A virus called H7N9, which already has confirmed cases in China.
Public health officials in China have reported 44 cases of human infection with the H7N9 flu to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Most cases were hospitalized with severe respiratory illness and 11 persons have died since the last report on Saturday.
Although there are no cases of H7N9 flu in the CNMI, CHCC epidemiologist Edward Diaz said that the corporation is heightening its readiness to detect and respond to any flu outbreak.
He encourages the public to be proactive by practicing the Flu W.A.T.C.H. steps, especially practicing basic hygiene measures like proper and frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and staying home from work or school when ill.
Last Thursday, CHCC officials met with Inos and the CNMI Pandemic Flu Committee-made up of various governmental, private, and non-profit organizations-to provide guidance on the H7N9 situation and to review the existing CNMI Pandemic Flu Plan in order to be prepared for this evolving situation. On Friday, a meeting took place with the Airport Operations Committee members.
The CHCC is responsible for updating the CNMI Pandemic Flu Response Plan annually and is now putting it to the test. Increasing surveillance, alerting all medical providers, promoting flu prevention, and working with the entire community are all part of the plan. The CHCC also receives frequent updates from CDC and WHO and is working with local public and private agencies to monitor the situation.
CHCC will issue an advisory for medical providers detailing the case definition and mitigation steps that should be taken in screening and treating suspected H7N9 flu patients that come to their respective clinics.
To date, there are no cases of human infection with H7N9 detected in the CNMI, the United States, or any place other than China.
The corporation emphasized that there is no human-to-human transmission of H7N9 flu and that this flu is only occurring in China at this time.
“The global concern is that the H7N9 flu outbreak could become a pandemic, or an infection that spreads across a large region or worldwide. A pandemic usually occurs every 30 to 40 years and there has not been a deadly flu pandemic in more than 40 years,” a statement from the administration states.
Furthermore, the concern with the H7N9 flu virus is that it is a completely new flu virus and people don't have antibodies or resistance to fight it. There is presently no vaccine for the H7N9 virus, although antiviral medication is available in the CNMI to help treat it.
Based on the current situation, and that there are no human-to-human spread of this new flu, the risk of having an outbreak in the CNMI is very low. However, the government is monitoring the situation very closely in case the threat level escalates.
Inos thanked the CHCC and the CNMI Pandemic Flu Committee for closely monitoring developments in this case.
“We had a very good meeting. I was initially concerned that in the wake of all the media coverage on North Korea, we might find ourselves unprepared to address the threat of the H7N9 virus that is spreading in parts of China. But, this is not the case, we can assure our people that we have our resources pooled to ensure that we keep a close eye on both matters that are of deep concern to the public,” assured the governor.
CHCC said the best protection right now is to practice precautionary flu W.A.T.C.H. and to get vaccinated with the seasonal flu vaccine. Vaccines are available at all private clinics and at the CHC Immunization Clinic, it is free and no appointment is needed. http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=126679
Public health officials in China have reported 44 cases of human infection with the H7N9 flu to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Most cases were hospitalized with severe respiratory illness and 11 persons have died since the last report on Saturday.
Although there are no cases of H7N9 flu in the CNMI, CHCC epidemiologist Edward Diaz said that the corporation is heightening its readiness to detect and respond to any flu outbreak.
He encourages the public to be proactive by practicing the Flu W.A.T.C.H. steps, especially practicing basic hygiene measures like proper and frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and staying home from work or school when ill.
Last Thursday, CHCC officials met with Inos and the CNMI Pandemic Flu Committee-made up of various governmental, private, and non-profit organizations-to provide guidance on the H7N9 situation and to review the existing CNMI Pandemic Flu Plan in order to be prepared for this evolving situation. On Friday, a meeting took place with the Airport Operations Committee members.
The CHCC is responsible for updating the CNMI Pandemic Flu Response Plan annually and is now putting it to the test. Increasing surveillance, alerting all medical providers, promoting flu prevention, and working with the entire community are all part of the plan. The CHCC also receives frequent updates from CDC and WHO and is working with local public and private agencies to monitor the situation.
CHCC will issue an advisory for medical providers detailing the case definition and mitigation steps that should be taken in screening and treating suspected H7N9 flu patients that come to their respective clinics.
To date, there are no cases of human infection with H7N9 detected in the CNMI, the United States, or any place other than China.
The corporation emphasized that there is no human-to-human transmission of H7N9 flu and that this flu is only occurring in China at this time.
“The global concern is that the H7N9 flu outbreak could become a pandemic, or an infection that spreads across a large region or worldwide. A pandemic usually occurs every 30 to 40 years and there has not been a deadly flu pandemic in more than 40 years,” a statement from the administration states.
Furthermore, the concern with the H7N9 flu virus is that it is a completely new flu virus and people don't have antibodies or resistance to fight it. There is presently no vaccine for the H7N9 virus, although antiviral medication is available in the CNMI to help treat it.
Based on the current situation, and that there are no human-to-human spread of this new flu, the risk of having an outbreak in the CNMI is very low. However, the government is monitoring the situation very closely in case the threat level escalates.
Inos thanked the CHCC and the CNMI Pandemic Flu Committee for closely monitoring developments in this case.
“We had a very good meeting. I was initially concerned that in the wake of all the media coverage on North Korea, we might find ourselves unprepared to address the threat of the H7N9 virus that is spreading in parts of China. But, this is not the case, we can assure our people that we have our resources pooled to ensure that we keep a close eye on both matters that are of deep concern to the public,” assured the governor.
CHCC said the best protection right now is to practice precautionary flu W.A.T.C.H. and to get vaccinated with the seasonal flu vaccine. Vaccines are available at all private clinics and at the CHC Immunization Clinic, it is free and no appointment is needed. http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=126679
