3 May 2009
The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region is
prepared for
response to influenza A (H1N1)
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that the Eastern Mediterranean
Region remains free of influenza A (H1N1) to date and that countries of the
Region are prepared to respond to influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. However, it
reiterates that no country is safe from H1N1 virus transmission.
In response to influenza A (H1N1), ministries of health in all countries of
the Region have already started implementing their national strategic plans
for preparedness and response, which have detailed guidelines and directions
for each and every stage of human pandemic influenza. The WHO Regional
Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and WHO country offices are
collaborating with ministries of health and are providing them with updated
and accurate technical information on a continuous basis.
In a meeting of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in
September 2006, Ministers of Health of countries of the Region committed to
developing and/or strengthening their national strategic plans for
preparedness and response to avian influenza and human pandemic influenza.
The plans include the establishment of a high level national committee
comprising representatives from key ministries and concerned technical
bodies who oversee, coordinate and guide prompt response.
The strategic plans also focus on responding in a timely manner to outbreaks
of any new influenza virus with pandemic potentials among humans through
strengthening national and international capacity for surveillance,
epidemiological investigation and treatment of human cases; enhancing
information management, risk assessment and exchange of epidemiological data
and specimens; and strengthening support for specimen collection, laboratory
diagnosis and virological analysis of influenza viruses.
