International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Briefing on Influenza with National Societies from Asia (China and Hong Kong, Nepal and India, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and Timor Leste) 13:30 12th November 2005 Your Attributes • Your are committed to prevent human suffering, to fight sickness, injustice and poverty • You emphasise mobilisation of communities as the key to achieving results • You attach enormous importance to being properly prepared • You want work in partnership with others • You are always ready to bring local experiences to the attention of leaders November 12, 2005 2 Three Kinds of Influenza • Seasonal Influenza – An annual pattern – Usually mild, but can be serious – even fatal – in elderly – Routine vaccination available • Avian Influenza (“Bird Flu”) – Current epidemic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Asia and entering Europe • Pandemic Influenza – Intermittent, Major morbidity and mortality, – Economic and social consequences November 12, 2005 3 HPAI in Asia November 12, 2005 10 countries affected, more than 140 million dead or killed birds 4 New areas affected New areas affected Original focu November 12, 2005 An alarming spread westwards 5 We MUST stamp out Avian Influenza at source…. – Targeted riskbased active surveillance – Stamping out – Biosecurity – Movement control November 12, 2005 6 Role of Wild birds in HPAI epidemiology November 12, 2005 7 Global Spread a Reality Major Migratory Flyways Sources: AI outbreaks, OIE, FAO and Government Sources Flyways: Wetlands International November 12, 2005 8 We MUST recognise who suffers the most November 12, 2005 9 We MUST give priority to providing accurate information November 12, 2005 10 Overview What is the “Bird Flu”? Why is it a threat to humans? 1. H5N1 is a new strain of the influenza virus present in birds 2. Outbreaks have occurred in poultry, migratory birds and other fowl across SE Asia, Europe and Russia 3. The “Bird Flu” has caused millions of poultry deaths, affected household economies & infected humans November 12, 2005 1. The human population has demonstrated low immunity to the H5N1 strain with high mortality 2. Influenza viruses can be highly transmittable (e.g. airborne) 3. The H5N1 virus could change and become transmissible between humans 11 Prerequisites for a Human Influenza Pandemic 1. A novel influenza virus must emerge to which the general population has little or no immunity and for which there is no effective vaccine 2. The new virus must be able to replicate in humans and cause disease 3. The new virus must be efficiently transmitted from one human to another ? November 12, 2005 12 How will we know the threat level Inter-pandemic period Phase 1 No new influenza virus detected in humans. If a new influenza virus presents in animals, the risk of human infection is considered to be low. No human infections, but a circulating animal influenza virus poses a risk to humans. Phase 2 Pandemic alert period Phase 3 Human infection(s) with a new virus, but no (or very infrequent) human-to-human spread. Phase 4 Small cluster(s) with limited human-to-human transmission but spread is highly localized. Phase 5 Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localized Increased and sustained transmission in general population. 13 Pandemic period November 12, 2005 Phase 6 Our discussion: A Regional Red Cross Approach 1. Must stamp out avian influenza (“bird flu”) caused by the Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Virus (surveillance, laboratory support, capacity to cull affected flocks, bio-security and trading changes, compensation for poultry owners, vaccination of birds, changes to agriculture) 2. Preparing for the pandemic without provoking panic: surveillance systems, guidelines for staff, containment, training exercises, personal protection for front line personnel 3. Community mobilisation: needing to work with communities to get them prepared – getting regional and provincial branches involved 4. Sharing of Epidemiological Information: ensuring that everyone knows what is happening when it happens (birds and humans) November 12, 2005 14 A Regional Approach 5. Improve communications to different groups in society, ensuring consistent messages (fitted to local culture and language) on risks, and linking information with required action 6. Maintain excellent links with government as a “trusted partner”, stimulate joined up work by agriculture, health and other departments 7. Share the information and ground it within international standards, tied in to WHO (Delhi and Manila) and FAO (Bangkok) 8. Develop clear policies on the use of anti-viral medicines, other essential medicines and protective clothing and seek ways to ensure they are available November 12, 2005 15 A Regional Approch 9. Vaccines: WHO and Governments need to be ready for the pandemic virus when it appears so that they can manufature the right vaccine as quickly as possible – remember that it can come in waves 10.Funds for poorer countries are vital and Red Cross needs to be able to have enough to do its part. November 12, 2005 16