This report was prepared based on the indicators in the document Human infection with pandemic (H1N1)2009 virus: updated interim WHO guidance on global surveillance available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/%20h1n1_surveillance_20090710/en/index.html
The qualitative indicators for surveillance of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 are described in Table 3 of this report. The information presented herein has been obtained through the official sites of the Ministries of Health of the countries in the Region as well as official reports submitted by the International Health Regulation (IHR) National Focal Points.
Update on the Qualitative Indicators
For Epidemiological Week 34 (EW 34), from 23 August to 29 August, 20 countries reported updated information to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) regarding the qualitative indicators to monitor pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Table 1). Only those 20 countries were included in this analysis.
Presently, 16 countries in the Region report having widespread geographical distribution of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus, with Belize including itself in this category for the first time. Both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Dominica report having no activity of pandemic influenza last week (Map 1).
Four countries reported an increasing trend of respiratory disease, namely Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Venezuela. While Paraguay had reported a decreasing trend in the previous three weeks, this week they report a shift to increasing trend (Map 2).
Regarding the intensity of acute respiratory disease, four countries report high intensity-Bolivia, El Salvador, Mexico, and Paraguay. Bolivia increased their reported status from low or moderate intensity to high this week. Conversely, three countries reported experiencing lower intensity than last week: Mexico changed its status to high intensity after three weeks of very high intensity; and Argentina and Costa Rica changed their status from high intensity to low or moderate (Map 3).
Of the 19 countries for which there is available information, 9 countries (Belize, Bolivia, Brazil Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru) reported experiencing moderate impact on health care services. This week, no countries reported experiencing a severe impact on health care servicess (Map 4).
Bolivia and Paraguay both reported widespread geographic spread, increasing trends of respiratory disease, high intensity of acute respiratory disease, and moderate impact on health care services.The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend any restrictions to travel or the closing of borders due to pandemic (H1N1) 2009.