H1N1 – WHO updates Commonwealth health ministers

Dr Mike Ryan, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response at the World Health Organization (WHO), said yesterday (17 May 2009) that six Commonwealth countries had officially reported cases of the H1N1 virus.

Dr Ryan was addressing Commonwealth health ministers and officials in Geneva at a special briefing on H1N1 influenza.

He stated that there were 8,451 cases worldwide so far, with Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom affected.

Dr Ryan pointed out the virus differed from seasonal influenza in that it was affecting younger people within the 5-45 year age range. These were previously healthy young adults and children.

Schools were proving to be “lighthouses” in terms of showing the arrival of the virus and its establishment in the community, Dr Ryan said.

He added that the vast majority of cases were mild, but that high risk groups did exist and preparedness involved ensuring those who did fall ill received adequate treatment.

This included using antiviral medication, having access to ventilators and treating secondary bacterial infections.

He commended the scientific and medical community worldwide for their willingness to share data.

“It is a developing situation,” he said. The virus could change behaviour as it reached new populations and mixed with other viruses.

Health ministers then had the opportunity to question Dr Ryan.

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the WHO, later held a dialogue with ministers and stressed the need for countries to strengthen their health systems to cope with both short-term and long-term threats.

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