BEIJING - The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Margaret Chan, on Friday called on the international community to prepare for a likely second wave of H1N1 flu, while stressing that Governments face the challenge of vaccine supply.
not want surprises
"We can not say that the worst is over or is about to happen," Chan said in a recorded video message, delivered at the opening of a three-day conference in Beijing Influenza in the Asia Pacific region.
"We must prepare for any surprise that we reserve this new virus capricious (...) a constantly changing and unpredictable is the survival mechanism of the microbial world," he added.
"We must also prepare for a second, even third wave as in previous pandemics," said Chan.
Sin rodeos
The WHO chief has called it bluntly confront the issue of vaccine supply. More than a dozen pharmaceutical companies in the world are prepared to make vaccines safe and effective.
"We need gather views on the priority groups for initial protection, "he said.
" is one of the most difficult decisions that governments have to take, especially since the supply will be extremely limited for several months, "he said.
1.800 dead
WHO announced earlier this week that the northern hemisphere countries have ordered more than 1.000 million doses of vaccines against influenza A (H1N1) to pharmaceutical companies, which should not be able to supply more than a limited amount at the beginning of autumn.
virus A (H1N1) flu has killed to 1.799 people worldwide, mostly in the Americas, from its appearance in late March, according to latest WHO data.
WHO declared pandemic influenza first century on 11 June. In total, 170 countries have confirmed cases.
40 percent of cases of serious infections worldwide caused by influenza A occur in children and adults, the latter under 50 years, today unveiled the World Health Organization (WHO).
In a document intended to serve as an international guide to treating the flu with antiviral drugs, the health agency warns that "some of these patients experience a sudden and rapid deterioration of their clinical condition, usually the fifth or sixth day of the onset of symptoms.
explains that this deterioration is characterized by a viral pneumonia that destroys lung tissue and does not respond to antibiotics, while complications arise in other organs including the heart, kidneys or liver.
In the same document, the WHO clarified that the worsening of a patient is not necessarily linked to preexisting conditions or frail.
Alert to signs
also suggests health care workers, patients and all those who attend home patients who are alert to signs that the flu is becoming more severe disease.
In that case, he added, must take immediate and urgent actions, which include the administration of the antiviral oseltamivir (Tamiflu's generic name) and when it is unavailable, of zanamivir, the other drug that has shown to be effective in cases of influenza A.
regard to children with severe symptoms or an increased risk of a severe, WHO recommended to receive antiviral treatment quickly.
This includes children under five years, given that this age group is most at risk worse.
WHO also lists warning signs that should be taken into account: the lack of air (as during physical activity or rest period), difficulty breathing, bluish color, colored or bloody sputum, and chest pain .
Eye to fever
also mentions a persistent high fever for more than three days, low blood pressure and altered mental status.
"In children, the danger signs include rapid or difficult breathing, lack of alertness, difficulty waking up and little or little desire to play," warns the WHO.
Moreover, the agency notes that "in areas where the virus is circulating so widely, health professionals with patients with flu symptoms should assume that the cause is the pandemic virus," so that "the treatment decision should not wait for laboratory confirmation. "
This recommendation is based on the available data indicate that the H1N1 virus is rapidly becoming the dominant against the seasonal flu virus.
But also remember that in the world, most infected people show symptoms of flu and recover completely within a week without any medical treatment.
not want surprises
"We can not say that the worst is over or is about to happen," Chan said in a recorded video message, delivered at the opening of a three-day conference in Beijing Influenza in the Asia Pacific region.
"We must prepare for any surprise that we reserve this new virus capricious (...) a constantly changing and unpredictable is the survival mechanism of the microbial world," he added.
"We must also prepare for a second, even third wave as in previous pandemics," said Chan.
Sin rodeos
The WHO chief has called it bluntly confront the issue of vaccine supply. More than a dozen pharmaceutical companies in the world are prepared to make vaccines safe and effective.
"We need gather views on the priority groups for initial protection, "he said.
" is one of the most difficult decisions that governments have to take, especially since the supply will be extremely limited for several months, "he said.
1.800 dead
WHO announced earlier this week that the northern hemisphere countries have ordered more than 1.000 million doses of vaccines against influenza A (H1N1) to pharmaceutical companies, which should not be able to supply more than a limited amount at the beginning of autumn.
virus A (H1N1) flu has killed to 1.799 people worldwide, mostly in the Americas, from its appearance in late March, according to latest WHO data.
WHO declared pandemic influenza first century on 11 June. In total, 170 countries have confirmed cases.
40 percent of cases of serious infections worldwide caused by influenza A occur in children and adults, the latter under 50 years, today unveiled the World Health Organization (WHO).
In a document intended to serve as an international guide to treating the flu with antiviral drugs, the health agency warns that "some of these patients experience a sudden and rapid deterioration of their clinical condition, usually the fifth or sixth day of the onset of symptoms.
explains that this deterioration is characterized by a viral pneumonia that destroys lung tissue and does not respond to antibiotics, while complications arise in other organs including the heart, kidneys or liver.
In the same document, the WHO clarified that the worsening of a patient is not necessarily linked to preexisting conditions or frail.
Alert to signs
also suggests health care workers, patients and all those who attend home patients who are alert to signs that the flu is becoming more severe disease.
In that case, he added, must take immediate and urgent actions, which include the administration of the antiviral oseltamivir (Tamiflu's generic name) and when it is unavailable, of zanamivir, the other drug that has shown to be effective in cases of influenza A.
regard to children with severe symptoms or an increased risk of a severe, WHO recommended to receive antiviral treatment quickly.
This includes children under five years, given that this age group is most at risk worse.
WHO also lists warning signs that should be taken into account: the lack of air (as during physical activity or rest period), difficulty breathing, bluish color, colored or bloody sputum, and chest pain .
Eye to fever
also mentions a persistent high fever for more than three days, low blood pressure and altered mental status.
"In children, the danger signs include rapid or difficult breathing, lack of alertness, difficulty waking up and little or little desire to play," warns the WHO.
Moreover, the agency notes that "in areas where the virus is circulating so widely, health professionals with patients with flu symptoms should assume that the cause is the pandemic virus," so that "the treatment decision should not wait for laboratory confirmation. "
This recommendation is based on the available data indicate that the H1N1 virus is rapidly becoming the dominant against the seasonal flu virus.
But also remember that in the world, most infected people show symptoms of flu and recover completely within a week without any medical treatment.
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