A Public Private Partnership
Ministry of Health & Quality of Life in collaboration with the MEF
In view of the risks that the Influenza A (H1N1) may reach our shores, the MEF launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life a Sensitisation Campaign on Friday 15 May 2009 at 16 30 at the MEF Management School,MEF-MCCI Building, Ebène CyberCity, Ebène. The Sensitisation Campaign aims to reduce the threat of the influenza on society by raising awareness across the Mauritian population.
April 2009 marked the headlines with a threat of a new “Influenza A (H1N1) virus” in several countries. The first cases were identified in Mexico, gradually spreading to other regions of the world. Currently, forty countries have reported 8,829 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 74 deaths. The World Health Organisation has announced that the world is in Phase 5 of pandemic alert, which is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent.
Dr Shahina Aboobakar, Regional Public Health Superintendent, Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, gave an overview of the “Influenza A (H1N1) virus” and precautions to be taken. She pointed out that this novel strain of influenza virus contains a combination of swine, avian, and human influenza virus genes.
The World Health Organisation uses a six-phased approach as an indication of the risk to global health. Presently the world is in phase 5 of the pandemic which means that there is a human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. This indicates a strong signal that the pandemic is imminent.
The main symptoms of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus are similar to the symptoms of a regular human flu that is, runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever above 38C, body ache, vomiting and diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing and pneumonia. Dr Abookakar explained that the influenza is transmitted mainly through the air by coughing or sneezing which generates droplets in the surrounding air. She highlighted that there is no risk of infection from this virus by consuming well-cooked pork and pork products.
Dr Abookakar enumerated the following preventive actions which should be taken.
For those who have the influenza:
· Cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, with a tissue if possible, then dispose the tissue in the trash after use.
· Wash hands immediately after coughing or sneezing to reduce the spread of the virus from the hands to other people.
· Limit contact with others to prevent spread of infection.
· Environmental cleaning.
· Seek advice from a health professional.
For those who are well:
· Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and have fever and cough.
· Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
· Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
· Clean hard surfaces such as table tops, door handles and taps regularly using a normal cleaning product.
· Reduce as much as possible the time spent in crowded settings
· Ensure good ventilation in your living space by opening windows as much as possible.
Dr The Hon. Rajeshwar Jeetah, Minister of Health & Quality of Life elaborated upon the numerous measures undertaken by the Ministry especially in terms of enhanced surveillance at ports of entry i.e. harbour and airports both in Mauritius and Rodrigues. The Minister pointed out that there are actually 10 doctors at the airport and around 50,000 planes have been screened.
There is a constant communication between the Ministry and WHO to monitor the evolution of the Influenza A (H1N1). The Ministry has a stock of antiviral (tamiflu) to provide for 13% of the population and will purchase more stock to bring this up to cover 25% of the population. The Minister reassured the audience that there is also a stock of masks, gloves and all necessary equipment in terms of precautionary measures. Isolation wards have been earmarked in all regional hospitals, Mahebourg and in Souillac Hospitals. In Rodrigues, isolation cubicles are being set up in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and La Ferme and Mont Lubin AHCs. The Minister extended his support to enterprises, clinics and all those present to assist them in preparing a preparedness plan which is well defined. “We have been coached by the WHO and we can share our knowledge with you.” He highlighted that no cases of the Influenza A (H1N1) has been noted in Mauritius and emphasised the importance of being prepares.
Mr François de Grivel, CBE, Vice President, Mauritius Employers’ Federation, highlighted that “it is only through a strong resolve and a collective sense of commitment that we can maintain our current condition.” The MEF for it’s part will organise training workshops on the subject to create the necessary awareness among its members together with public and private organisations. Mr de Grivel informed the audience that the MEF has already started an awareness and Sensitisation Campaign by sending to all its one thousand members the official communiqué from the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, on precautionary measures to be taken at national level and requests made to enterprises and individuals to mitigate the spread of the disease. In line with the sensitisation campaign the MEF has circulated and Information Note from the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) to Employers in Mauritius whose motto is “Catch it, Bin it and Kill it”.
Everyone has a fundamental role play to reduce the threat of the influenza on society by raising awareness across the Mauritian population.
