Brunei Darussalam: Experience In Health Crisis Management

1. Brunei Darussalam: Experience In Health Crisis Management JUNIADEE AHMAD (Acting) Chief Executive Officer Public Relation Division Ministry of Health Brunei Darussalam

2. Brief Background (1) • 2005 – ‘Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam Influenza Pandemic Plan’ • Media and Public Relations Communications Sub-Committee

3. Brief Background (2) • Roles: • Ensure that MoH will be able to respond to the public risk communications challenges; • Includes efficient flow of accurate & consistent information; • Facilitate communication between government agencies, privates sectors, national & international communities; • As well as providing accurate and relevant information to the general public through the media and other communication channels.

4. Brief Background (epidemiological) • ‘influenza like illness’ (a.k.a. human swine influenza) was 1st reported on March 2009 • 1st press release was issued on April 2009 • WHO declared pandemic Phase 6 (11 June 2009) • Brunei declared pandemic Phase 6 on 20 June 2009 (10 confirmed cases)

5. All 10 cases had history of flying to affected countries – all their contacts were traced and quarantined. • As of 23 June 2009, 184 cases confirmed with H1N1

6. Control Measures & Activities • Border surveillance • Thermal scanning / aural thermometer screening at the International Airport & other ports of entry • Health Declaration Forms • Health centres & hospitals • Flu desks to screen patients • Surveillance to assess community transmission in selected health facilities

7. Control Measures & Activities • Contact tracing & Quarantine • Strengthening of activity • Finding out the confirmed cases movements and activities before seeking medical attention • Getting list of contacts & contacting them to check if any symptoms • Assessing suitability of home quarantine for close contacts • Monitoring twice daily for contacts under quarantine

8. Control Measures & Activities • Vaccination • Vaccination for Influenza A (H1N1) given • Laboratory capability • Rapid Antigen Tests & RT-PCR Influenza A & Influenza A (H1N1) – all available locally • Personal Protective Equipment & Personal Hygeine • Masks are to be used by front liners including Immigration and Customs staff • More shops should be selling & displaying near the payment counter – masks, hand sanitizer, tissues etc.

9. Control Measures & Activities • Travel advise • Postpone or delay traveling abroad unless if necessary • Reducing training or meeting abroad • If ill overseas to seek medical attention and delay traveling back to Brunei • If ill after returning back to Brunei, to seek medical attention immediately • Reducing social interactions at least for 7 days after returning from affected countries

10. Control Measures & Activities • Students • Almost one thousand thermometers and 10k masks given out to schools • Teachers will be checking students’ temperature before entering class • Clean environment and hygiene in schools • Hand washing practice • Parents not to send their children to school if ill

11. Media & Public Relations component Phase 1: No new influenza virus sub-types detected in human – low risk of human infection

12. Media & Public Relations component Phase 2: No new influenza virus sub-types detected in human – however substantial risk of human disease

13. Media & Public Relations component Phase 3: Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread

14. Media & Public Relations component Phase 3: Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread

15. Media & Public Relations component Phase 5: Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localized

16. Media & Public Relations component Phase 6: Pandemic phase – increased and sustained transmission in general population

17. Thank you