WITH the number of confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza virus being treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies as of Thursday at nine, the Ministry of Health is being proactive in it’s approach to the virus.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Winston De La Haye told the Jamaica Observer that a meeting was held with the directors within the Ministry of Health on Monday, February 15, to assess the virus as well as plan and implement a response.

“We have implemented a pandemic influenza plan (PIP), which doesn’t mean we have a pandemic, but you can’t wait for it (pandemic) to implement a plan,” Dr De La Haye explained.

He went on to outline the elements of the PIP, which includes vaccination for front-line people who, he explained, are those who would be most at risk of being exposed to the contagious illness which is transmitted by droplets.

“We have done an assessment of the availability of protective gear, which includes masks, and where there is a shortfall we have ensured that we have ordered those,” he disclosed. “We are not waiting on something to happen, we have to be proactive.”

Dr De La Haye explained that the confirmed cases thus far are below the threshold of an outbreak, however in being proactive, the health ministry has accelerated their preparations in the event that the situation worsens.

The threshold is measured by calculating the average for the last five years for the period that corresponds with this year’s reported cases. The chief medical officer explained that if the numbers for the current period were two standard deviations above, then that would be above the threshold.

Dr De La Haye has described the efforts being put forward as a scaled-up preparatory phase. It includes moving all severe acute respiratory tract infections (SARI) from a Class Two reporting index to a Class One reporting index, which means that a report of all suspected cases must be made within 24 hours.

Zika virus, which is currently spreading across the region, is also currently classified as a Class One reporting index. To date, Jamaica has had only one confirmed case of the Zika virus.

“The adjustments also ensure that all SARI get tested for H1N1,” Dr De La Haye said. “Also, we have sentinel sites (over 90) established around the country in hospitals and health centres.

“Before now, as a Class Two reporting index, we would sample every 10 respiratory tract infections coming into these centres­ – we have now stepped it up and are sampling all of concern,” he continued.

According to De La Haye, the ministry has also informed all senior medical officers across Jamaica to identify isolation areas, which is what would be required given the contagious nature of the H1N1 virus.

“Whether or not they have cases, they are to identify these areas so we are not scrambling at the given time,” he told

Your Health Your Wealth.

The Ministry of Health has also issued a case definition to all physicians, which specifies what physicians should be looking for in suspected cases.

Since it is now the flu season, with more people experiencing cold and flu symptoms, Dr De La Haye pointed out that an increase in the number of acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) is expected, but these are not to be confused with severe acute respiratory tract infections.

Epidemiologists are also busy keeping track of the reports received daily, in order to have an accurate reflection of the impact of the virus on the island.

“We are prepared. As we know you know, if we think that there is a significant reason for alarm, we will tell you,” Dr De La Haye assured

Your Health Your Wealth. “We certainly think at this point, given the nine confirmed cases, that we are on a SARI alert.

“The moment it moves to a higher level, we will inform the media,” De La Haye stated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of health has urged citizens to take steps to protect themselves and their families from being infected with influenza viruses.

People can take the following precautions:

1. Clean hands frequently with soap and water;

2. Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing;

3. Control the spread of germs: avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands;

4. Avoid contact with persons with flu-like symptoms;

5. Avoid intimate contact including handshaking and kissing;

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness that presents with symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache, and body aches and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be experienced.