PANDEMIC OF INFLUENZA A H1N1

1.On 29 April 2009, WHO was announced the swine flu or newly known as influenza A H1N1 to the level of phase 5 that indicates there are raise alert of influenza pandemic for this virus infection worldwide.



2.According to WHO pandemic phase description, phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least 2 countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.



3.Up until today, 10/05/09 29 countries have offiially reported 4379 cases of influenza A H1N1 infection.Those countries have been reported to have influenza A H1N1 infection are - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (6), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Panama (3), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (93), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (39).





4.WHO director General said that this is a time of great uncertainty for all countries, and great pressure on ministers and ministries of health. The only certain thing that can be said about influenza viruses is that their behaviour is entirely unpredictable. No one can say how the current situation will evolve. .Countries will, quite rightly, want to do everything possible to prevent the arrival of the virus or, once in a country, to delay its further spread and thus flatten the epidemiological peak. .At the same time, it is important for countries to refrain from introducing economically and socially disruptive measures that lack solid scientific backing and bring no clear public health benefit. .The rational use of travel- and trade-related measures is always wise. It is all the more wise at a time of severe economic downturn.





5.in our context of Malaysia, the main principal of to control this influenza A H1N1 to spread is to do a screening at all entry points of country.The health organization working so hard to ensure this virus spreading in our country. For conclusion, all malaysian must work together in preventing influenza A H1N1 outbreak worsening here.