All government hospitals countrywide have been asked to ready themselves for a possible outbreak of H1N1 influenza pandemic, with over 27 confirmed cases being reported in the country so far.
The epidemiology unit of the Ministry of Health has asked top officials of all Teaching, General, Base and District hospitals to be on the alert and prepare their staff to face a possible emergency situation, if the flu gets out of control.
In a circular to Directors and Medical Superintendents of all Teaching, General, Base and District Hospitals, Dr Sudath Peiris, acting chief epidemiologist, has stated that following the few confirmed cases of pandemic influenza reported through routine influenza surveillance, response activities to face a possible second wave of H1N1 influenza pandemic should be strengthened in the country. They should be targeted at the 20 sentinel hospitals identified under the avian/pandemic influenza preparedness project.
He has also warned health officials to be ready to accommodate a heavy load of patients with acute respiratory illness at all outpatient departments (OPDs) and increase surveillance at the OPDs to detect any possible cases of H1N1 influenza.
