WHO: H1N1 outbreak not alarming
WHO: H1N1 outbreak not alarming
Myanmar Times, 31 Jul 2017
URL: https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/27021-who-h1n1-outbreak-not-alarming.html
The World Health Organization said the H1N1 outbreak in Myanmar has not reached an alarming state as the government has taken proactive steps to contain the spread of the disease.
“It’s not really necessary to feel overly afraid of the influenza,” said Dr Stephen Paul Jost, WHO country representative in Myanmar told The Myanmar Times at the University of Public Health in Yangon on July 30.
He said that ministry’s response and surveillance is up-to-date and government is collaborating with WHO and relevant partners to combat the outbreak that was announced by the Ministry Health and Sports on July 24.
He added that WHO will provide technical support including, disease guideline, case management, training and surveillance for H1N1 infection.
Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe of Ministry of Health and Sports said they are prepared to control the outbreak.
“We are analyzing the disease 24 hours. The virus is mostly found in Chin State, Bago region, Yangon Region and Ayeyarwady Region. Yangon and Ayeyarwady Region should be aware,” he said.
He added that they have planned to provide vaccine to hospitals and will monitor not only H1N1 but also H5N1.
According to the ministry’s latest update as of July 30, 187 suspected patients had been tested nationwide and 51 patients confirmed with H1N1 positive and 10 people died between July 21 and 30.
“We have managed ventilators, medicines and hospitals in Strand Road to decontaminate the suspected patients. We have also made instructions on how to treat suspected patients if enlisted,” he said.
“It’s not really necessary to feel overly afraid of the influenza,” said Dr Stephen Paul Jost, WHO country representative in Myanmar told The Myanmar Times at the University of Public Health in Yangon on July 30.
He said that ministry’s response and surveillance is up-to-date and government is collaborating with WHO and relevant partners to combat the outbreak that was announced by the Ministry Health and Sports on July 24.
He added that WHO will provide technical support including, disease guideline, case management, training and surveillance for H1N1 infection.
Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe of Ministry of Health and Sports said they are prepared to control the outbreak.
“We are analyzing the disease 24 hours. The virus is mostly found in Chin State, Bago region, Yangon Region and Ayeyarwady Region. Yangon and Ayeyarwady Region should be aware,” he said.
He added that they have planned to provide vaccine to hospitals and will monitor not only H1N1 but also H5N1.
According to the ministry’s latest update as of July 30, 187 suspected patients had been tested nationwide and 51 patients confirmed with H1N1 positive and 10 people died between July 21 and 30.
“We have managed ventilators, medicines and hospitals in Strand Road to decontaminate the suspected patients. We have also made instructions on how to treat suspected patients if enlisted,” he said.