Pandemic Response and current activities in Lao PDR

NIC Meeting, Beijing, 18-20 Aug 2009

Dr Phengta VongphrachanhDirector

National centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE)Ministry of Health

Vientiane,Lao PDRD

Outline

1. Pandemic H1N1 2009 in Lao PDR

2. Current Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plans in Lao PDR

3. Response to pandemic H1N1 2009

1. Pandemic H1N1 2009 in Lao PDR

• Total confirmed cases as of 16 August 2009:– 226 cases and one death– Cases reported from 8/17 provinces– Most common symptoms;

fever, sore throat, cough

• Community Transmission: 2 Provinces – Vientiane Capital, Bolikhamxay

• Discussion on moving to Lao PDR Alert Level 6 (widespread community transmission)

• 1056 samples have been tested for pandemic H1N1 (as of 16 Aug 2009)

PHONGSALY

LUANGNAMTHA

OUDOMXAY

LUANGPRABANGHUAPHANH

BOKEO

XIENGKHUANG

XAYABURY

VIENTIANE

BORIKHAMXAYVIENTIANE CITY

KHAMMUANE

SAVANNAKHET

SARAVANESEKONG

CHAMPASACK

ATTAPEU

Total 199cases01 Death.O8 Provinces

01-5 6-11 12-1819-25 >25

Legend

2. Current Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plans in Lao PDR

Plan title Level Plan for Phase

Last revision

National Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness Plan 2006-2010

National, Strategic

1-6 January 2006

National Pandemic Influenza Response Plan for the Health Sector, LAO PDR

National, Operational

6 August 2009

National Protocol for Rapid Containment of Pandemic Influenza

National, Operational

4 & 5 August 2008

ProvincialPandemic Influenza Plan (all 17 provinces have their own plan)

Provincial,Operational

6 -

3. Response to pandemic H1N1 2009 (1)

Following national and provincial pandemic plans

1. Co-ordination and Decision Making – National CDC meetings– Joint ministerial meeting for decisions on public health measures – MoH meetings for surveillance and clinical management strategies– Multi-sector table top exercise 6-7 Aug ‘09

2. Surveillance and Response– Enhanced surveillance Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), including

Influenza-like-Illness (ILI) and Lower Respiratory Infection– New strategy since community transmission

• Focus on monitoring of ILI/ARI• Specimens: collection only from severe cases, deaths, health care

workers, provinces with no cases previously, and from lab sentinel surveillance

Response to pandemic H1N1 2009 (2) 3. Clinical Management and Infection Control

– Training on H1N1 – Set up Clinicians’ Working group for 24/7 support– Set up screening areas and isolation rooms in hospitals

4. Public Health Interventions– Isolation of patients: home isolation of mild cases,

hospital isolation of severe cases– Border screening - isolation implemented when positive

cases identified– Some school closures but recent national decision not

to close the schools

5. Communications– Press releases, TV and radio spots, distribution of IEC

materials – Risk communication workshops for journalists

Conclusion• First case of H1N1 detected in Laos 16

June 2009 and continues to spread.

•Most of them are mild cases, only one death with underlying health condition (Asthma, obesity).

• Policy and strategy changes required as pandemic progresses from beginning to within country community transmission to recovery

• Public education emphasized.

Acknowledgement

• China CDC for hosting and joint organizing this meeting

• WHO • US CDC • Institute Pasteur

for technical and financial support• World Bank• All colleagues of NCLE, MOH for their

contributions.

Thank you for

your Attention !