At the moment there are no confirmed cases in Palau; however, the public is urged to practice hygienic habits such as frequent washing of hands with soap and water or the use of hand sanitizers/rubbing alcohol, appropriate covering of mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoidance of close contact with sick people.
Symptoms of the Influenza A(H1N1) may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and body aches within 7 days of travel to areas known to be affected by Influenza A(H1N1), or exposure to suspected or confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) patient.For general information regarding the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, contact the Hospital Emergency Operations Center at 488-0675, or the Community Advocacy Program at 488-2002 during working hours.If you are experiencing Influenza A(H1N1) or any flu-like symptoms, contact the Hospital Emergency Room at 488-2558 for instructions.In addition, the Ministry of Health is informing the public that as part its preventive measures being implemented against possible outbreak of the new Influenza A(H1N1) virus, the following policies as well as clinic and inpatient visiting hours at the Belau National Hospital will take effect on Thursday May 7, 2009.1. OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT (OPD) AND ALL OTHER EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED AFTER 4:30PM DAILY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.2. VISITING HOURS WILL ONLY BE FROM 6 – 8 PM AT NIGHT WITH THE ENTRANCE IN FRONT OF THE MEDICAL WARD TO BE THE ONLY ENTRANCE USED.3. ALL OTHER ENTRANCES INTO THE HOSPITAL WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.4. ALL VISITORS WILL BE SCREENED FOR ALL FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS.5. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14 WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN HOSPITAL GROUNDS UNLESS SEEKING MEDICAL CARE.6. ONLY ONE ATTENDANT PER ADMITTED PATIENT (INPATIENT) IS ALLOWED.7. IF YOU ARE SICK WITH ANY FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM VISITING INPATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL.8. IF YOU HAVE INQUIRIES, CALL THE HOSPITAL ER AT 488-2558.
