H1N1 - Swine Flu 2009

What is H1N1 ?

Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, also known as A(H1N1), is a subtype of influenzavirus A and the most common cause of influenza (flu) in humans. Some strains of H1N1 are endemic in humans and cause a small fraction of all influenza-like illness and a large fraction of all seasonal influenza. H1N1 strains caused roughly half of all human flu infections in 2006.[1] Other strains of H1N1 are endemic in pigs (swine influenza) and in birds (avian influenza).

In June 2009, WHO declared that flu due to a new strain of swine-origin H1N1 was responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic. This strain is commonly called "swine flu".

How do this influenza occurs?

Influenza A virus strains are categorized according to two proteins found on the surface of the virus: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). All influenza A viruses contain hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, but the structure of these proteins differ from strain to strain due to rapid genetic mutation in the viral genome.
Influenza A virus strains are assigned an H number and an N number based on which forms of these two proteins the strain contains. There are 16 H and 9 N subtypes known in birds, but only H 1, 2 and 3, and N 1 and 2 are commonly found in humans.

( source :- en.wikipedia.org)

"H1N1 OUTBREAKS IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM"

Latest News

1st case of H1N1 in Brunei Darussalam - The Ministry of Health confirmed Staurday (20 /6 / 2009) that a 19-year-old Bruneian student who arrived from the United Kingdom on June 16 for summer holidays has tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1) and is currently being quarantined and undergoing treatment at the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong. (sources Brunei Times)

2nd cases of H1N1 in Brunei Darussalam- The second case of Influenza a (H1N1) has been reported in Brunei, just a day after the nation's first case was announced. In a press statement, the Ministry of Health yesterday confirmed that a 16-year-old Bruneian female was reported to have displayed the symptoms of the virus, a day after arriving from a six-day trip in Singapore which fell on June 19. ( sources Brudirect.com)

6 cases of H1N1 in Brunei Darussalam - All returning students from abroad
Bandar Seri Begawan - Four more new influenza A (H1N1) cases were reported, making the total number of cases detected so far in the sultanate to six, the Ministry of Health said yesterday, adding that all the cases involved Brunei citizens.

The third case involved an 18-year-old male teenager who was also one of the contacts of the first case reported earlier. The patient first developed the symptoms on Sunday, June 21, 2009.

The fourth flu patient is a 20-year-old male student currently studying in the UK who returned home on June 18, and developed the symptoms on June 21, 2009.

Meanwhile, the fifth case involved a 13-year-old girl who travelled to Kuala Lumpur along with her family on Tuesday, June 16, 2009. All family members were having symptoms when they returned to Brunei on Friday, June 19, 2009.

The sixth case is a brother of the fifth patient, an 11-year-old boy who was also travelling with the group. All of these cases are currently undergoing treatment at Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong and are in good condition.

The Ministry is now currently tracing all those who had close contact with the patients and those who are at risk will be quarantined.

Following the surge in the H1N1 case, the Ministry urged the public not be alarmed and worried. At the same time, the public should extend their cooperation by complying with the health advice given by the Ministry.

They include avoiding or postponing travel to the infected areas, to immediately seek examination or health treatment should they develop symptoms of the disease, especially those who have just arrived from abroad, to reduce public activities and social interaction within seven days after returning from abroad and to take precautionary steps by practising self-hygiene, especially when visiting foreign countries.

The Ministry of Health on Saturday said Brunei confirmed its first case of A (H1N1) influenza when a student was found infected with the flu virus more than 12 hours after arriving home on flight B1098 from London Heathrow on June 16, 2009. The student was confirmed to have contracted the virus after Rapid Result and other tests were carefully executed.

The 19-year-old Brunei student studying in the United Kingdom is currently on holiday. The student arrived here on June 16 but only showed H1N1 symptoms on June 19 evening. The student had his first emergency treatment at RIPAS Hospital on June 20 before being transferred for treatment and observation to the quarantine centre in Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong.

The ministry believed the student was infected while in the UK, due to the fact that the student only showed signs of H1N1 symptoms three days after arrival, which is more than 20 hours, the ministry will not be contacting other passengers of flight BI098.

On Sunday, the Ministry once again announced that a second case was detected involving a Bruneian girl aged 16 years who went to Singapore on June 12. The patient started to develop symptoms only on June 19, a day after arriving home from flight B10422.

She went to seek medical treatment at the Outpatient Services Bandar Seri Begawan Health Centre, Jalan Ong Sum Ping on June 20, 2009. The patient is reported to be in good condition. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin.

More discussion about H1N1 from MOH

Brunei Darussalam

Definition on H1N1

H1N1 also known as 'Swine Flu'.It is a respiratory diseases caused by new strain of influenza virus that spreas from human to human.

How do H1N1 spreads?

Flu can spread when the infection person coughs, sneezes or speaks. Flu viruses are transmitted / spreads into the air through droplets and other people breathe in the viruses. When the viruses enter the nose, throat or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply and cause the symptom.