Hazards Take Control INFLUENZA By NEMO Saint Lucia

Hazards: Take Control INFLUENZA By NEMO Saint Lucia With additional material from Dr. Auria Cenac

DISASTER RISKS FACED BY THE CARIBBEAN : Y C N E G R A E Z M E EN L U A L C F I D N E I M Source: Primer Series by the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction EARTHQUAKES FIRES GOAL: REDUCE DISASTER RISK DEVELOP POLICIES FOR ACTIONS HAVING HIGH BENEFIT/COST FOR THE CARIBBEAN REGION HURRICANES VOLCANOES FLOODS LANDSLIDES MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Hazard Defined Seasonal flu, pandemic flu, swine flu and avian flu are not the same. Seasonal Influenza Seasonal influenza or “the flu” is a respiratory illness spread from human to human. It tends to occurs with the start of the school year. Pandemic Influenza Pandemic influenza results in a global outbreak of the flu that can occur at any time of the year. Scientists do not know when the next pandemic may occur.

Hazard Defined Seasonal flu, pandemic flu, swine flu and avian flu are not the same. H 5 N 1(Bird Flu) Avian influenza is a disease that is common among birds, and rarely causes human illness. H 5 N 1 is the current strain of concern worldwide. THERE ARE NO CASES OF THIS ILLNESS IN SAINT LUCIA. H 1 N 1 (Swine Flu) H 1 N 1 influenza is a disease that started in pigs, and became a human illness. H 1 N 1 is also a current strain of concern worldwide. 2009 THERE WAS 1 DEATH FROM THE H 1 N 1 VIRUS IN SAINT LUCIA.

Hazard Defined • 1918 H 1 N 1 virus killed 20 to 40 million people worldwide • 1957 H 2 N 2 and 1968 H 3 N 2 viruses each responsible for more than 1 million deaths • In 2005, all eyes are focused on H 5 N 1 — bird flu • In 2009, all eyes turned to H 1 N 1

Hazard Defined Clinical Signs • Acute respiratory disease § § § § Fever Anorexia Coughing Sneezing Nasal discharge Labored breathing Eye inflammation abortion

Hazard Defined • Is caused by Type A virus • This virus is common in swine populations through out the world • Causes mild respiratory symptoms

Hazard Defined The Cycle

Hazard Defined TRANSMISSION • Aerosolized respiratory secretions and formites which are contaminated • Incubation 1 -3 days • Excrete virus within 24 hours of infection and may shed up to 7 -10 days • Carrier state can exist for 3 months • Pigs cells has receptors that can bind to Swine, Human and Avian Influenza Virus there for two or more viruses can co-infect swine cells and combine to produce a novel virus

Hazard Defined Phases of a Pandemic World Health Organization Mitigation and Preparedness Phase I Phase 2 Inter pandemic Phase 3 Response Phase 4 Pandemic Alert Declared globally by the World Health Organization Declared nationally by the Ministry of Health Phase 5 Phase 6 Pandemic

CASES RATE 20 1. 6 X 1000 CASES RATE 19 0. 27 X 1000 CASES RATE 7 0. 7 X 1000 3 0. 21 X 1000 10 1. 16 X 1000 2 0. 13 X 1000 CASES RATE CASES 2 RATE 0. 11 X 1000 3 0. 12 X 1000

Preparing for Influenza THE KEY IS: 1) KNOW THE DISASTER HISTORY OF YOUR REGION 2) KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY

Preparing for Influenza • Discuss the hazard with your family. • Prepare your workplace. • Prepare a disaster plan. • Don’t forget your pets! [yep they can get the flu too]

Preparing for Influenza • Groceries • Sanitation items • Papers: Passport, ID, Insurance, Mortgage, Wills • Medicines and First Aid Supplies • Baby Supplies • Animal Supplies If you are quarantined you will not be able to go out to buy these items

Preparing for Influenza Treatment • As for all Viral diseases the treatment is supportive • Broad spectrum antibiotics for secondary bacterial pneumonia • Good nutrition and husbandry practices.

Preparing for Influenza PREVENTION AND CONTROL • Prevention of invasion of AI Virus § Bio-security § Improve quality of quarantine and port surveillance § Surveillance • Prevention of spreads of Influenza Virus by quick disposal after detection of an outbreak § Control of movement of animals and products § Destruction of infected and at-risk animals § Stamping out § Easily killed by disinfectants in common use in Vet Med. (proper hygiene practices)

Preparing for Influenza I want to urge you to act now in getting the insured household percentage up from 35%. I want to challenge you to strive at a 60% figure for this year, no matter how painful the financial cost Dr. Kenny D. Anthony Prime Minister of Saint Lucia January 16, 2005

Early Warning Systems The four components of an early warning system: 1. Monitor the hazard; 2. Quantify the hazard; 3. A disaster plan to address the hazard; [National Influenza Plan] 4. Effective communications for warning.

Early Warning Systems Communications

Early Warning Systems

Effects of Influenza Symptoms • • • include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. • Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Effects of Influenza How long can an infected person spread this virus to others? • 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. • This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H 1 N 1 virus.

Effects of Influenza

Responding to Influenza

Responding to Influenza Can I get infected with 2009 H 1 N 1 virus from eating or preparing pork? • No -- H 1 N 1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get infected with novel HIN 1 virus from eating pork or pork products. • Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

ALL CLEAR • “All Clear” announcements are not given for influenza out breaks. • Pandemic Influenza works in waves. During the lull take the time to prepare for the next wave. REMEMBER: The regular/seasonal flu is always with us.

Online Resources National Influenza Plan http: //stlucia. gov. lc/flu Family Disaster Plan http: //www. cdera. org/doccentre/familyplan. html Family Evacuation Plan http: //stlucia. gov. lc/nemp/plans/Evac. Template. doc Family Disaster Supplies List http: //www. stlucia. gov. lc/docs/nemo/Family. Disaster. Sup plies. Calendar. pdf