Acting Assistant Secretary for Health and Social Affaris and acting Chairman of the National H1N1 Task Force Moses Pretrick, called the meeting based on the new cases of H1N1 reported by FSM national influenza surveillance coordinator Melinda Manglay.
Manglay gave the latest updated details on newly confirmed cases in Pohnpei and Yap.
She said in the two latest sets of samples sent to Australia for testing, there were seven new confirmed cases of H1N1 in Pohnpei and four new cases in Yap.
According to Manglay, it took about a month to receive the test results due to a combination of shipping and testing issues.
She said while information on the patients who tested positive remains confidential, their illness history, including no recent history of off-island travel, and illness signs and symptoms strongly indicate that there is local community transmission of the H1N1 virus.
The task force said as the FSM states continue with their preparedness and response efforts, there will be a point at which sampling of specimens from suspect cases will need to be changed.
It added that all the states are working hard to help and prevent H1N1-related complications.
The general public are encouraged to observe the following general hygienic measures:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based gel, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissue in a trash can.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If you are sick stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is resolved.
• Avoid close contact with sick people — standing closer than six feet, touching, kissing, hugging.
• Do not travel if you are ill.
• Seek medical assistance if you are having flu-like symptoms for proper evaluation and testing.
