HEIDELBERG, Germany — Military preventive medicine and health care experts monitoring the Swine Influenza (H1N1) outbreak are advising military personnel in Europe to stay aware of developments and take common-sense precautions to avoid exposure and illness.
As of noon April 28, no cases of Swine Influenza (H1N1) have been reported in Europe in the U.S. military community, according to officials from the U.S. European Command and the Europe Regional Medical Command, which is responsible for 18 Army health facilities and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
However, the United States government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed cases of Swine Influenza (H1N1), according to the World Health Organization. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human infections with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six confirmed cases and Spain one. Suspected cases are being investigated in other countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Israel and Scotland. Officials report that most of the cases are related to travel to Mexico.
As a precaution on April 26, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared a public health emergency. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she would prefer the term "declaration of emergency preparedness" similar to preparing for a hurricane.
On April 27, the World Health Organization raised its influenza pandemic alert level from phase 3 to phase 4, indicating the virus is capable of significant human-to-human transmission. According to news reports, WHO director Keiji Fukuda said that, though the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, one is not inevitable. He said the agency will focus on mitigating the virus.
U.S. military health officials in Europe and elsewhere are monitoring the situation closely.
Dr. (Col.) David Schall, U.S. European Command surgeon, said military health officials and clinics have received an advisory that outlines symptoms to look out for when treating patients who report to military treatment facilities with flu-like symptoms. said health reporting measures are in place that will alert them to any increase in locally reported cases.
Schall said the military has an active flu surveillance program.
"The U.S. European Command has a flu pandemic plan for several years that follows World Health Organization guidelines," said Schall. "It is updated on a regular basis."
He said EUCOM issues a force health protection message to alert, educate and increase surveillance, and also coordinates with host nations to synchronize response as needed.
"We also do surveillance through the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics, or ESSENCE," said Schall. "That computer system alerts us to abnormally high numbers of influenza cases."
Schall said the U.S. military health clinics can perform a quick test to detect influenza.
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center has the ability to perform more comprehensive tests for influenza, including Swine Influenza (H1N1), or coordinate with host nation labs.
Schall said anyone planning to travel to Mexico or other affected countries should be aware of the Swine Influenza (H1N1) situation, as well as civilian and military travel advisories or restrictions.
Dr. (Col.) Evelyn Barraza, ERMC preventive medicine consultant, said Army health clinics are taking extra efforts to identify patients at increased risk for Swine Influenza infection.
"Cases mentioned in news reports have been traced to people who live in or traveled to Mexico recently," said Barraza. "If you've traveled there, or had contact with someone who has traveled there recently and think you have the flu, see a doctor. Clinicians are considering the possibility of swine influenza infection in recent travelers presenting with an acute respiratory illness."
Barraza said respiratory hygiene precautions should be followed during any influenza season: - Stay at home when you are sick. - Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. - Wash your hands regularly. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. - Seek medical care if you are ill.
She said the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web sites are both a good source of current information.
