Health Minister Dr. Stevenson Kuartei announced that Palau has its first laboratory confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1), after receiving lab results yesterday morning from the first batch of samples sent to Melbourne, Australia early in June 2009.
Kuartei said the first case was a two-year old girl visiting family here in Palau from Seattle, Washington. The girl has left Palau and has long recovered.Kuartei said at that time that case was still a probable one the family of the girl restricted their movements.The members of the family showed no symptoms of the flu. Kuartei added that there are also six probable cases of Influenza A (H1N1). He said that these patients have tested positive for Influenza A through on-island laboratory testing. The testing was sent to Australia if its positive for H1N1.He said that that two of the index cases out of the six travelled to the Philippines and returned to Palau showing symptoms of Influenza A.The four were exposed to the index cases.Kuartei said patients who don’t require hospitalization are instructed to remain at home (self-quarantine) and away from others until their symptoms go away, which usually takes about 7 days. The patients are visited daily in their homes to ensure that they are receiving proper medical care, and advice to prevent the spread of influenza. However, if patients require observations, they are admitted to a designated/alternative care site, or isolated from other patients.“It is critical that each individual take personal responsibility to help prevent the spread of influenza by following public health recommendations,” he said.The minister added that those traveling off-island should not skip the screening if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.Since the outbreak was first detected toward the end of April 2009, over 100 countries worldwide now report cases of Influenza A(H1N1). As of July 1, 2009, 77,201 laboratory confirmed cases have been reported, including 332 deaths. In Guam there is one case confirmed.The ministry reiterated that everyone to seek medical advice by calling the 24-Hour Influenza A(H1N1) Hotline at 488-0555 if experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, or runny nose. Influenza A(H1N1) is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing of sick people, or touching infected areas, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. To prevent yourself from getting sick:1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water; use hand sanitizers or rubbing alcohol if soap and water are not available.2. Cover your cough/sneeze with tissue and throw tissue away; or, cough/sneeze into your upper sleeve. 3. Don’t get too close to sick individuals.4. Call 24-Hour Hotline, 488-0555, if you experience flu-like symptoms.Response activities continue at this time, focusing on measures for rapid identification of cases in order to ensure appropriate care of sick individuals and to minimize the spread of the disease. Please forward all questions on Influenza A(H1N1) to the 24-Hour Hotline at 488-0555.
