THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA SAYS it will introduce control measures on the movement of people and the use of antiviral drugs if reports surface of a pandemic threat from person-to-person transmission of the deadly avian flu.
The current H5N1 strain of the virus, known to kill about half its victims, has up to now only been transmitted through close contact between humans and infected birds.
According to a ministry paper tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, 67 deaths have occurred from the 122 human cases identified since H5N1 jumped the species barrier in 2003.
AVIAN FLU BUDGET
The ministry paper indicated that the Government is currently preparing a budget for a 10-point Avian Flu Preparedness Plan formulated in anticipation of a possible deadly worldwide outbreak of the virus.
"If the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that transmission of the virus from person to person has occurred, the two major strategies that will be used in response to a pandemic threat will be containment and maintenance of essential services," the ministry paper stated.
The document noted that containment would entail controlling people's movement, isolating the sick, quarantining contacts and judiciously using antiviral medication in an effort to prevent transmission.
"If the virus spreads rapidly then containment may not be possible," the ministry paper added. "The strategy will then focus on the maintenance of essential services in the country."
The tabled document also outlined the Ministry of Agriculture/ Veterinary Services Division (VSD) Action Plan, which it indicated has already strengthened collaborative efforts between the VSD, quarantine personnel, public health personnel and Customs.
"(This is) in order to ensure compliance with import permit requirements for live birds, poultry and poultry products being imported into Jamaica," the ministry paper said.
The document also indicated that the VSD is embarking on a sample collection and testing of small poultry 'Backyard' operations in each parish.
Preparedness plan
1) Revise/test sentinel
surveillance system for fever/respiratory symptoms.
2) Revise/test hospital active surveillance for admissions of lower respiratory tract infection and deaths due to lower respiratory tract infection.
3) Develop surveillance systems for the detection, characterisation and assessment of
clusters of persons with fever and respiratory problems.
4) Assess burden of seasonal influenza/respiratory tract infections estimate needs in a pandemic and provide background information.
5) Surveillance amongst private physicians and hospitals.
6) Strengthen laboratory surveillance and linkages between laboratory and reported respiratory illness from the surveillance system.
7) Expand capacity of viral laboratory at UWI and establish level three laboratory. Establish additional links with reference laboratories in U.S.A.
8) Strengthen alert, verification, reporting and response capacity for epidemics.
9) Training for health workers being developed.
10) Communication programme for health team, travel, quarantine and other key persons being developed.
