Brunei in queue to get H1N1 vaccine

Borneo Bulletin report - 16 July 2009

By Azlan Othman

As health officials in the World Health Organisation (WHO) called Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic 'unstoppable' and added that all countries would need to have access to vaccines, a Brunei health official responded by saying that the nation is also in the queue to get the vaccine along with other countries.

"Order has been made. We have no control on (the arrival of the) vaccine, but it will come. The current anti-viral Tamiflu has cured 182 local patients so far," the health official told the Bulletin. The other anti-viral drug is Relenza.

The Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi, last Saturday said, "As for vaccination against H1N1, we are still waiting for it (vaccine) to be produced, which will come in August or September. We hope we will get our share of it (vaccine). We don't know how much will be distributed, but we are in line to get the vaccine. When other countries get it, we will also get it."

The Ministry of Health in a recent statement said that those who have been confirmed with Influenza A (H1N1) would be treated as soon as possible and their close contacts will also be given treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.

Although the vaccine to prevent H1N1 infection is still not available, the current anti-virals have been proven effective to treat and prevent the infection, especially if the treatment is given early. The Ministry of Health said it will ensure sufficient supply of medications for the infection is available.

Meanwhile, AFP reported that with the global death toll from H1N1 now reaching at least 429, WHO's director of vaccine research Marie-Paul Kieny said that the vaccine should be available as early as September.

A handful of pharmaceutical companies are racing to develop a vaccine against H1N1, which the WHO says has infected more than 94,500 people worldwide.

But WHO chief Margaret Chan said Wednesday a swine flu vaccine would not be readily available for months, undermining national plans for rapid immunisation against the accelerating pandemic.

The comments by her came as Australia and Japan reported a surge in cases, and Argentina dramatically upped its death toll from 94 to 137 in just three days.

"There's no vaccine. One should be available soon, in August. But having a vaccine available is not the same as having a vaccine that has proven safe," Chan told Britain's Guardian newspaper.

"Clinical trial data will not be available for another two to three months," she added, contradicting health officials in Britain and elsewhere who said the first stocks would start arriving in August.
___________________________________

MoH stops publishing new H1N1 cases


Borneo Bulletin - 15 July 2009
By Achong Tanjong


Based on new measures taken by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Health yesterday said it will also standardise these measures by no longer publishing the number of new cases in Brunei Darussalam in its media releases, as previously been practised.

The WHO has informed countries that reporting of individual laboratory-confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) is no longer essential as a monitoring tool.

Thus the body no longer requires countries to submit the report and will no longer publish updates on the number of confirmed cases for all countries in their website.

The Ministry of Health will, however, continue to undertake measures to control the outbreak of Influenza A, as outlined in the Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan such as continuing the surveillance of influenza like illness in health centres, limit the number of visitors visiting patients in the hospitals, encourage social distancing that is advising the public to isolate themselves and to reduce social interactions if they have the symptoms of influenza, promote personal hygiene and the surroundings to prevent the spread of influenza.

Patients who have a mild form of the infection and are not at risk of developing severe complications are often allowed to be treated at home.

A large proportion of close contacts who, in general, do not have symptoms of the disease, will also be allowed to undergo home quarantine, if home circumstances are deemed suitable for quarantine purposes.

The suitability for home treatment for patients and home quarantine for close contacts are assessed by the relevant departments, according to the current guidelines.

The Ministry of Health will, from time to time, provide updates on changes in the control measures undertaken.

For further information on Influenza A (H1N1) situation in Brunei Darussalam, the public can visit the Ministry of Health's website: www.moh.gov.bn. The public can also contact Healthline 145 during office hours or 8220991 outside working hours for general enquiries on Influenza A (H1N1).

_______________________________

Total H1N1 cases reach 300 mark

Borneo Bulletin - 14 July 2009


The total number of confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) cases in the country yesterday reached the 300 mark after a further 20 cases were reported by the Ministry of Health.

The ministry, meanwhile, continues to carry out control measures against the outbreak.

Based on the Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan, Brunei is currently in Phase 6b, which means that the influenza pandemic is currently on going worldwide.

Brunei is affected with the presence of confirmed cases in the country. As such, the Ministry of Health will continue to monitor and carry out activities for the particular phase as outlined in the plan.

This includes the continued surveillance of influenza like illnesses at health centres and to treat confirmed cases and their close contacts.

Close contacts of confirmed cases will also be tracked and with cooperation from the relevant agencies, they will be placed under quarantine.

Up until yesterday, 182 confirmed cases had recovered and 1,156 close contacts had completed their quarantine, allowing them to resume normal activities.

The Ministry of Health has also limited the number of visitors visiting patients at hospitals.

Also in the Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan are steps to encourage social distancing by advising the public to isolate themselves and to reduce social interactions - especially if they have the symptoms of the influenza.

Another crucial step is to promote good personal hygiene and clean surroundings to further prevent the spread of the influenza.
The Ministry of Health reminds the public that Influenza H1N1 enquiries can be directed to the Healthline at 145 during office hours or 822 0991 and 718 0991 outside office hours.