Influenza A (H1N1) 2009: Impact on Frankfurt in due consideration of health care and public health

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: Reviews of overseas pandemic responses have suggested that stronger links between primary care and other parts of the health sector are required. The influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (H1N1 09) pandemic was the first real test of New Zealands pandemic preparedness. ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEM: In the six months from May to October 2009, there were 595 confirmed cases of H1N1 09 in Canterbury, with 187 hospitalisations and three deaths. This paper describes the way a range of Canterbury agencies worked together in a co-ordinated health-led response aimed at minimising the impact of H1N1 09 in the community and maintaining effective health care services for both influenza and non-influenza patients. STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT: Key strategies included sector-wide response co-ordination, intelligence and communications, a combined public health/primary care response during the containment phase, and universal red/green streaming supported by dedicated flu centres and an 0800 call centre during the manage it phase. LESSONS: Despite the considerable impact of the H1N1 09 virus in Canterbury, health care services were not overwhelmed. The key lesson learned from the Canterbury H1N1 09 response has been the importance of preparing and working together across the sector. KEYWORDS: Influenza, human; pandemic; primary health care; public health; mass media; civil defence

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Preventing the Soldiers of Health Care From Becoming Victims on the Pandemic Battlefield: Respirators or Surgical Masks as the Armor of Choice

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1097/dmp.0b013e3181be830c ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (S2) ◽

pp. S203-S210 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Lewis J. Radonovich ◽

Trish M. Perl ◽

Victoria Davey ◽

Howard Cohen

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Influenza A ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Global Scale ◽

Gradual Transition ◽

Health Organizations ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Public Health Organizations

ABSTRACTThe respiratory protective equipment necessary to protect health care workers from the novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus is not known. The knowledge gap created by this unanswered question has caused substantial debate and controversy on a global scale, leading public health organizations to feel pressured into issuing decisive recommendations despite a lack of supportive data. Changes in clinical practice caused by public health guidance during such high-profile events can be expected to establish a new standard of care. Also possible is an unforeseen gradual transition to widespread N95 respirator use, driven by public health pressures instead of science, for all outbreaks of influenza or influenza-like illness. Therefore, public health organizations and other influential institutions should take care to avoid making changes to established practice standards, if possible, unless these changes are bolstered by sound scientific evidence. Until definitive comparative effectiveness clinical trials are conducted, the answer to this question will continue to remain elusive. In the meantime, relying on ethical principles that have been substantiated over time may help guide public health and clinical decisions. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 2):S203–S210)

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Ocular manifestations of emerging viral diseases

Eye ◽

10.1038/s41433-020-01376-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ashwin Venkatesh ◽

Ravi Patel ◽

Simran Goyal ◽

Timothy Rajaratnam ◽

Anant Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Influenza A ◽

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

Global Scale ◽

Viral Diseases ◽

Valley Fever ◽

Ocular Manifestations ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Emerging Viral Diseases

AbstractEmerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are an increasing threat to public health on a global scale. In recent times, the most prominent outbreaks have constituted RNA viruses, spreading via droplets (COVID-19 and Influenza A H1N1), directly between humans (Ebola and Marburg), via arthropod vectors (Dengue, Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya, Crimean Congo) and zoonotically (Lassa fever, Nipah, Rift Valley fever, Hantaviruses). However, specific approved antiviral therapies and vaccine availability are scarce, and public health measures remain critical. Patients can present with a spectrum of ocular manifestations. Emerging infectious diseases should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of ocular inflammatory conditions in patients inhabiting or returning from endemic territories, and more general vigilance is advisable in the context of a global pandemic. Eye specialists are in a position to facilitate swift diagnosis, improve clinical outcomes, and contribute to wider public health efforts during outbreaks. This article reviews those emerging viral diseases associated with reports of ocular manifestations and summarizes details pertinent to practicing eye specialists.

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