Updates from Influenza A (H1N1) meeting 5/2009 at the MOH and the proposed recommendations to the Interministerial Committee Meeting

?These are the recommendations arising from the Influenza A (H1N1) meeting at the Ministry of Health in Putrajaya on the 17th and later at the Inter- ministerial Meeting held on the 18th and chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.  The MOH will be coming out with its circular on this to all hospitals; while awaiting this please immediately implement recommendations as in below which are specific to hospitals.

 1.  Health declaration forms have to be completed in the plane by all passengers arriving by air. Air crew to ensure all passengers complete these forms which will be handed over to health staff at the disembarkation point.

 2.  For flights from countries with high incidences of Influenza A (H1N1) such as the US, The Philippines and Australia (Melbourne), Health Staff will enter the aircraft and go through the process of getting passengers to fill in the health declaration forms.

 3.  Masks will have to be provided by aircrew for passengers showing signs of flu and to those passengers in their near vicinities ie up to 3 rows away.

 4.  All local authorities to enforce strict hygiene standards in relation to dengue, typhoid, H1N1 etc.

 5.  Institute screening of patients/visitors at all entry points into the hospital. Screening should include taking of temperature and asking about visits to countries with H1N1.

 6.  Immunisation to those at risk.

 7.  All frontliners ie the Immigration, the Police , health staff to be advised to take all precautions .

 8.  Social distancing ie closing of schools, restricting social gatherings and such to be enforced when the need arises.

 9.  In critical situations eg when deaths arise from Influenza A (H1N1) cases more stringent measures will be enforced.

 10. Private and public hospitals will be advised to enforce shorter visiting hours and restrict visitors. Children 12 years and below should not be allowed to visit.

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