News Pages Only

RSS News Feed

Home

News Home

Gov. Togiola proclaims state of public health emergency to confront influenza

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today proclaimed a state of public health emergency in American Samoa.

Governor Togiola said as part of the Territory’s efforts to address and to act swiftly to assure early detection and thorough response in the event a case or cases of the Influenza are identified, this proclamation is needed to protect the public’s health and safety.

“Proclaiming a state of public health emergency in American Samoa is the first step that we are taking to support and facilitate our health and emergency response to the Influenza,” said Governor Togiola. “And it’s a big step to make our response capabilities stronger, so that we’re best-prepared and ready, and we want to assure our island community that our action plans are in place. Thank you for staying calm.”

(See Proclamation of State of Public Health Emergency, Actions Plansand H1N1 Influenza - Questions and Answers below)

Governor Togiola said for now please continue to prepare in taking preventative care by:
-Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

-Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

-Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

-If you get sick with flu, it is recommended that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

PROCLAMATION
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on April 29, 2009, the World Health Organization reset the global pandemic influenza alert level to five, the second highest warning of widespread human infection from the outbreak of H1N1 Influenza, commonly referred to as “swine flu;” and

WHEREAS cases of the H1N1 Influenza have been detected and confirmed in several countries including those with direct travel routes to American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa; and

WHEREAS the evidence to date from reported human infections indicates that the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus has adapted itself to humans so that it can spread from one person to another; and

WHEREAS the United States Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency, and President Obama has explained that the declaration was needed as a precautionary tool to make sure that the federal government has appropriate resources to combat the spread of the virus; and

WHEREAS the spread of the virus poses a threat to persons engaged in activities and businesses critical to the economy and infrastructure of the Territory; and

WHEREAS the American Samoa Department of Health must use all preventative measures, which will require access to available services, personnel, equipment and facilities to respond to the H1N1 Influenza; and

WHEREAS the H1N1 Influenza constitutes a potential epidemic which will require significant Territorial and Federal resources to detect, confirm and combat.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TOGIOLA T.A. TULAFONO, Governor of the Territory of American Samoa, in accordance with the Revised Constitution of American Samoa and the Emergency Public Health Powers Act, and in response to this worldwide public health threat and the potential health impact it poses for the people of American Samoa, do herewith proclaim on this First day of May 2009, a state of public health emergency in the Territory of American Samoa.

FURTHER, all provisions and authorities of the Emergency Health Powers Act, Chapter 03, Title 13, A.S.C.A are in force. The state of public health emergency shall apply to all geographic areas of the Territory, and shall remain in effect until proclaimed terminated.

TOGIOLA T.A. TULAFONO
Governor of American Samoa

ACTION PLAN

Summary of Action Plans for American Samoa at this Stage of Outbreak
April 30, 2009

►Declaring Public Health Emergency for the Territory of American Samoa – Proclamation of state of public health emergency signed May 1, 2009

►Border Control

Travel Advisory to Airlines and Shipping Agents

A travel advisory will be issued to all airlines and shipping agents serving Pago Pago (American Samoa) International Airport and other ports of entry, requiring that all passengers need to fill in separate health forms before entering our borders. Questionnaires will specifically determine whether passengers have visited other countries or states, aside from Hawaii and Samoa, in the last 7 days. Other questions will also determine whether passengers have symptoms or not. In addition to these declaration forms, written information on swine flu and how to prevent the spread will be available for distribution.

Airlines and/or shipping vessels may be fined, if they do not comply with this advisory notice.

We also highly recommend restricting non essential government travel and the deferral of travel plans of the public as well.

Border Surveillance
The following border public health measures will be implemented:

Border workers / employees will be trained by public health officials to recognize potential passengers who might show signs and symptoms. They will also look out for declaration forms if passengers have been anywhere else besides Hawaii and the Independent State of Samoa, which they will then be directed to specific entry line for further questioning, such as more details on signs and symptoms, contact information and offer health information for the flu, or referral for further influenza screening. Workers will also receive gloves and N95 masks for protections but will be advised when to utilize these supplies.

After further questioning, there will two distinguished groups:

1) Asymptomatic passenger; 2) Symptomatic passenger with flu-like symptoms. Asymptomatic patients will be briefed on preventative measures and will be followed up by health officials. Symtomatic individuals will be further checked at the Tafuna Family Health Center and released after appropriate investigative procedures are completed. There will be close contact and monitoring of the patient.

Airlines and shipping companies will be asked to provide passenger manifests, when needed, in relation to contacting individuals who were in close proximity with the suspected passenger during travel time.

►Public Awareness and Preventive Measures
Aggressive public health preventative measures as outlined in the SNAPPIP (frequent hand washing, sneeze and cough etiquette, non sharing of utensils, etc.) will be posted in the local newspapers, radios and TV and cable channel.

Frequently asked questions about the swine flu will also be posted on americansamoa.gov, newspapers and will be available at any health sites.

Health posters will be distributed to health care clinics, hospital, port areas, ASG departments, businesses and other applicable areas for notice.

A health education video will be created and made available for airlines, TV, cable and baggage area at the airport.

Department of Health (DOH) offers public awareness to organizations, businesses or government departments, agencies and offices that may need health educators to present learning sessions. Please refer to hotline phone numbers.

Due to lack of resources and manpower, DOH will also request for volunteers to help in our efforts. Call hotline for more information.

Influenza Hotline - General Public: 633-7475

Preparedness Response Stakeholders – 699-4981

►Medical Interventions

The Unified Health Command (UHC) has been activated (Friday 05/01/09) and will continue functioning for the duration of the outbreak. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has also been activated and is based at the EMS building in Faga’alu.

Case definitions and patient care have been relinquished and ready to be implemented by LBJ and DOH physicians and clinicians. Level of care will be dependent upon the progress of the outbreak.

Daily disease surveillance will be conducted and updates reported during morning UFC. Updates will also be communicated with the Office of the Governor, American Samoa Department of Homeland Security and appropriate preparedness stakeholders.

H1N1 INFLUENZA - Questions and Answers:

What you need to know and how to help protect yourself from infections.

H1N1 Influenza in the U.S.? If you’re worried about the news of the recent outbreak of swine flu, here are some key facts provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Samoa Department of Health to help you understand how H1N1 Influenza is spread and what you can do to help prevent infection. Current updates on the spread of H1N1 Influenza are available on the CDC H1N1 Influenza Website: cdc.gov

What is H1N1 Influenza, originally called swine flu?

H1N1 Influenza, or swine flu, is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs and caused by type A influenza viruses. While outbreaks of this type of flu are most common in pigs, human cases of swine flu do happen. In the past, reports of human swine flu have been rare – approximately one infection every one to two years in the United States. Currently, the U.S. and Mexico are experiencing an outbreak of swine flu.

How does it spread?

Humans with direct exposure to pigs are those most commonly infected with H1N1 Influenza. Human-to-human spread of the virus has been documented; however, the current swine flu outbreak is being spread by human-to-human contact. It is not yet known how easily the spread is occurring. Just as the common flu is passed along, H1N1 Influenza is thought to be spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching something that has the live virus on it.

If infected, a person may be able to infect another person one day before symptoms develop; therefore, a person is able to pass the flu on before they know they are sick. Infected individuals may spread the virus for seven or more days after becoming sick. Those with the Influenza should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are showing symptoms, and up to seven days or longer from the onset of their illness. Children might be contagious for longer periods of time.

Do we have H1N1 Influenza in American Samoa?

No cases of H1N1 Influenza, or swine flu, have been detected in American Samoa. However, it is recommended that the normal precautions described below be followed during this heightened period of alert. The Department of Health is closely monitoring the H1N1 Influenza outbreak outside the Territory, and will provide updates as events dictate.

Can I catch H1N1 Influenza from eating pork?

No. The CDC says that H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) viruses are not transmitted by food. Properly cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160º F kills all bacteria and viruses.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 Influenza?

Symptoms of H1N1 Influenza are similar to those of a regular flu; fever and chills, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting can also be present. Illness from this strain of swine flu may start with sudden dizziness. Without a specific lab test, it is impossible to know whether you may be suffering from swine flu or another flu strain, or a different disease entirely.

What precautionary measures should I take?

The same everyday precautions that you take to prevent other contagious viruses should be used to protect yourself against H1N1 Influenza.

“The best current advice is for individuals to practice good hand hygiene. Periodic hand washing with soap and water, or the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hand washing is not possible. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as germs can more easily gain entrance into your body through those areas. Covering your mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough and sneeze is also a good practice.”

The CDC recommends avoiding contact with sick people and keeping your own good health in check with adequate sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet.

What should you do if you think you are sick with H1N1 flu?

Contact the Department of Health HOTLINE 633-7475. Inform the doctor of your symptoms. Be prepared to give details on how long you’ve been feeling ill and about any recent travels. The doctor will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you feel sick, but are not sure what illness you may have, stay home until you have been diagnosed properly to avoid spreading any infection to others.

However, watch for these symptoms in children. Seek emergency medical care if your child experiences any of the following warning signs:

▪ Fever with a rash
▪ Dehydration
▪ Fast breathing
▪ Bluish skin coloration
▪ Slow to wake or sluggish interaction
▪ Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return and cough worsens
▪ Severe irritability

For adults, emergency medical care is needed if you experience these warning signs:

▪ Difficulty breathing
▪ Dizziness
▪ Confusion
▪ Severe or persistent vomiting
▪ Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach

Remember that the symptoms for H1N1 Influenza are almost identical to those you might experience with the regular flu. Only your doctor can give you the correct diagnosis.

Are there medicines effective in treating H1N1 Influenza in humans?

The current strain of H1N1 Influenza appears to respond to the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), or zanamivir (Relenza) for those infected. For treatment, these antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within two days of the appearance of symptoms), and for that reason, it is important to notify your doctor right away if your symptoms are severe. LBJ Tropical Medical Center and Department of Health have limited quantities of these drugs, and additional supplies are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, should they be needed. Current antiviral policies dictate that only hospitalized patients may be treated with these drugs.

Is there a vaccine available to protect against H1N1 Influenza?

No, there is no vaccine to protect humans from the new strain of swine flu. Steps have been taken to start developing one, though the process is complex and can take months.

Would a recent vaccination for the seasonal flu help protect against H1N1 Influenza?

The CDC reports that those individuals who received the seasonal flu vaccine do not have added protection against the H1N1 Influenza. The human H1N1 viruses are very different from the H1N1 viruses responsible for the recent outbreak of swine flu. Therefore, a seasonal flu vaccine would not protect against the swine flu.

---americansamoa.gov---

Home

Archives

Gov. Togiola proclaims state of public health emergency to confront influenza