Preventing the spread of H1N1

Public health officials are preparing for the onset of seasonal flu and the novel H1N1 flu virus by beginning preparations in force, earlier than expected. Health officials predict an early onset of seasonal flu this year.

The H1N1 vaccine is not expected to be available until mid-October as clinical trials are continuing. The Department of Defense has procured 2.7 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine for and will be a phased distribution beginning with the highest-risk populations, within military forces, DOD civilians and critical contractors. Primary priority groups within the DOD will consist of deployed forces, ships afloat, high risk healthcare workers and mass training areas (i.e. Boot Camp/Basic Training, Service Academies). The secondary group will be critical personnel followed by all other personnel.

Those identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as being at highest risk for both types of flu and encouraged to receive vaccines include:

Healthcare workers.
Pregnant women
People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
People 25 to 64 with chronic health disorders or compromised immunity.

Seasonal flu vaccine involves one injection. H1N1 vaccine will require two injections 21 to 28 days apart. Health department officials suggest taking seasonal flu vaccines as early as possible, given the potential for an early start to the flu season this year.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Take everyday actions to stay healthy
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

Develop a family plan as a precaution. This should include stocking up on everyday items like foods and medicines as well as facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

Department of Defense Military Treatment Facilities will provide more information as it becomes available and will announce when the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines are available.

For more information you can visit www.dod.mil/pandemicflu, www.flu.gov or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

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Asia-Pacific Forces Discuss Military Medicine

Military medical representatives from the United States and 18 Asia-Pacific nations met at the 19th Annual Asia-Pacific Military Medicine Conference, which was held in Seoul, South Korea, April 6-10, to discuss collaboration.

The conference was co-hosted by U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and the Republic of Korea Army (ROK), and focused on “Transforming Military Medicine Through Collaboration and Interoperability.”

Members of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) served as speakers, presenters and moderators at the conference, where medical professionals discussed ways to collaborate on solutions to problems like HIV/AIDS, infectious disease, preventive medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and Avian Bird Flu. They participate in these types of conferences frequently throughout the course of a year, ultimately hoping to further enhance the ability of different nations in the region to work together on military medical issues.

This collaboration not only makes it easier for the different organizations to work together in real-world missions, but also helps build the medical capacity of the different countries. It also allows each country to gain a better understanding of their partners and their needs and abilities. Members of the PACOM Surgeon’s Office work to ensure they understand what type of viable assistance PACOM could provide to Asia-Pacific partners if it were needed.

While conferences provide an opportunity for discussion of collaboration, additional benefits are gained by working in each other’s facilities. Different nation’s can share information and resources, which provides an opportunity to learn from each other’s medical systems, issues, and challenges.

By working together on issues such as Avian Influenza, military medical forces can find common solutions to common problems, which benefits the entire Asia-Pacific region.

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PACOM Working Group Builds Capacity to Combat Pandemic Influenza

Throughout the Asia-Pacific region there have been multiple deaths from avian bird flu, which is scientifically known as the H5N1 virus. While some nations around the world have downplayed the risks of the virus, a Feb. 26 article in the Monterey County Herald focuses on the ever-present threats it presents, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

Currently, this virus can only be transferred from birds to humans through direct contact, but if a mutation were to occur in the strain that allowed for human-to-human transfer, the impact could be devastating to the region. It’s estimated that a pandemic could incapacitate as much as 40 percent of the work force throughout the region.

At the U.S. Pacific Command headquarters on Camp Smith, Hawaii, the Pandemic Influenza Fusion Working Group has been working for nearly four years to help ensure continued stability throughout the region if such a pandemic were to occur. Building international capacity to deal with a pandemic is key to success.

This capacity building includes meeting with other nations throughout the region to share information and provide training where it’s needed. Though this may not seem like a topic the military needs to focus on, the second and third order effects of a pandemic may call for military involvement. The working group is conducting multilateral engagements to ensure military forces are prepared to provide necessary support in the event of an outbreak.

The team is identifying and helping other countries in the region to identify shortcomings in the recognition of a pandemic, and its associated responses. Assessments are focusing on surveillance/prevention, preparedness/communication, and response/containment. These assessments are being conducted during various conferences and exercises.

In July, Joint Task Force Homeland Defense will lead Exercise Lightning Rescue, which is an annual event that incorporates the military, nongovernmental agencies, local emergency response teams, and other agencies into a simulated response to a pandemic. This year, international representatives have been invited to observe the exercise in hopes of furthering response capacity throughout the region.

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