PREVENTION OF H1N1 DISEASE

What about Influenza A (H1N1)?

Influenza A (H1N1) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease caused by Type A influenza virus’ strain H1N1. The virus is spread by aerosol, direct and indirect contact. Transmission has been documented limited to close contacts and close groups of people. Currently, cases of Influenza A have been reported in many countries such as United States, Australia, Indonesia and other countries including Malaysia.


When is the infectious period of the disease?

The infectious period for a confirmed case of Influenza A virus infection is defined as 1 day prior to the case’s illness onset to 7 days after onset.


What is its mode of transmission?

• Respiratory droplets
• Direct contact (skin or fomites)
  

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

• Fever AND any of the following stmptoms
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body ache
• Headache

Other symptoms include :

• Chills
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

What are the case definitions ?

• Confirmed case: A person with an acute febrile respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection by one or more of the following tests:
• Real time RT-PCR
• Viral culture
• Four-fold rise influenza A (H1N1) virus specific neutralizing antibodies.

• Suspected case: A Patient Under Investigation of Influenza A / H1N1 virus infection is defined as an individual presenting with
  
  • fever , AND
  • One or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, sore throat, body ache, difficulty in breathing, AND
  • One or more of the following: close contact with a person diagnosed as Influenza A/H1N1 OR within 7 days oftravel to an area reporting cases of confirmed Influenza A/H1N1 (within 7 days of exposure / contact)

Other Definitions

• Acute febrile respiratory illness: Fever >38°C and recent onset of at least one of the following: rhinorrhoea or nasal congestion, sore throat, or cough.
• Close contact: a person having cared for, lived with, or had direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a probable or confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1).

~source:http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/h1n1PreventionGuidelines.php