Press Releases: Acute Respiratory Infections

• WHO Says Prompt Treatment Can Prevent Serious Cases, Deaths from H1N1

  The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new healthcare guidance for the H1N1 influenza pandemic that encourages early treatment with antiviral drugs of ill people in high-risk categories and of anyone who has rapidly progressing symptoms.

• WHO Says Prompt Treatment Can Prevent Serious Cases, Deaths from H1N1

  The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new healthcare guidance for the H1N1 influenza pandemic that encourages early treatment with antiviral drugs of ill people in high-risk categories and of anyone who has rapidly progressing symptoms.

• Pandemic A(H1N1): Prompt Treatment Reduces Severity of Illness, Improves Chances of Survival

  Prompt treatment with antiviral drugs for persons infected with the pandemic A(H1N1) virus reduces the severity of illness and improves the chances of survival. But emergency rooms and intensive care units will experience the heaviest burden of patient care during the pandemic, experts said at a three-day meeting in Washington, D.C.

• Pandemic A(H1N1): Prompt Treatment Reduces Severity of Illness, Improves Chances of Survival

  Prompt treatment with antiviral drugs for persons infected with the pandemic A(H1N1) virus reduces the severity of illness and improves the chances of survival. But emergency rooms and intensive care units will experience the heaviest burden of patient care during the pandemic, experts said at a three-day meeting in Washington, D.C.

• Influenza A (H1N1): Lessons Learned and Preparing for the Future Influenza A (H1N1): Lessons Learned and Preparing for the Future
  High-level Meeting on Influenza A (H1N1). Mexico. 3 July 2009.- Director's closing remarks - 'I believe that we are reaping the fruits of years of planning and preparation, which have been very important and, since 2007, have put most of the countries on a rather similar and equitable plane in terms of their ability to participate and implement the International Health Regulations' ... 'this is the real political challenge, always bearing in mind the fundamental principles of protecting the population, solidarity, and equity, and above all trust among peoples and among authorities'.
  In English      (12.61k)  (181.44k) 
  en Español    (13.62k)  (179.49k) 
  
• A H1N1 - An Outbreak Timeline A H1N1 - An Outbreak Timeline
  Science Magazine. 8 May 2009.- "I'm amazed at the capacity we have with the information and communication technologies," says epidemiologist Mirta Roses Periago, head of the Pan American Health Organization. "We used to do things with our hands and smelling and looking at the patients." During the past few weeks, she notes, scientists have rapidly shared sequences of the viruses, digital images of patient x-rays, and electron micrographs of the new H1N1.
  "At this point in history, this is the best surveillance we've ever had," said Keiji Fukuda, one of WHO's assistant director generals.
  Read more in Science Magazine »
  PDF Article »
  In English      .  
  
• Epidemiological Alerts Archives, 2003­2008 Epidemiological Alerts Archives, 2003­2008
  (Note: Series renamed, formerly EID Updates: Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Region of the Americas.)
  The purpose of these alerts is to disseminate information on the latest public-health events that have been identified as risks to health, trade, and/or international travel. Most of these events are primarily due to infectious agents, while others are due to chemical or physical agents. The PAHO Epidemiological Alerts published at the regional level (for the Americas) complement the WHO Disease Outbreak News published at the global level. The latest issues can be found at the new site, 2009 onwards.
  In English      (36.2k) 
  en Español    (40.91k) 
  
• Infection Control Strategies for Specific Procedures in Health-Care Facilities: Epidemic-prone and pandemic-prone acute respiratory diseases, A Quick Reference Guide Infection Control Strategies for Specific Procedures in Health-Care Facilities: Epidemic-prone and pandemic-prone acute respiratory diseases, A Quick Reference Guide
  This document is addressed to infection control professionals, occupational health specialists and other professionals involved in patient care in health-care facilities. It is designed to provide quick reference guidance on infection prevention and control to help prevent the transmission of acute infectious respiratory diseases during health care.
  In English      (237.06k) 
  en Español    (158.05k) 
  
• Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control at PAHO Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control at PAHO
  This page describes the PAHO Technical Area for Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control(HSD), its mission and objectives, what it does in terms of projects and activities. It contains links to the four technical groups and the Pan American Center under its umbrella. Note: Prior to June 2006, the Area was named Disease Prevention and Control.
  In English      (5.65k) 
  en Español    (6.44k) 
  
• CSP27.R10: Regional Policy and Strategy for Ensuring Quality of Health Care, Including Patient Safety CSP27.R10: Regional Policy and Strategy for Ensuring Quality of Health Care, Including Patient Safety
  This resolution from the 27th Pan American Sanitary Conference in 2007 sets forth the PAHO mandate for providing effective, safe, efficient, accessible, appropriate, and satisfactory care for users, recognizing that policies are needed in the health sector that will impact the health care continuum, foster citizen involvement, and promote a culture of quality and safety in health care institution.
  In English      CSP27.R10 
  en Español    CSP27.R10 
  en Français   CSP27.R10 
  em Português CSP27.R10 
  
• Almost a quarter of all disease caused by environmental exposure Almost a quarter of all disease caused by environmental exposure
  As much as 24% of global disease is caused by environmental exposures which can be averted. Well-targeted interventions can prevent much of this environmental risk, the World Health Organization (WHO) demonstrates in a report issued today. The report further estimates that more than 33% of disease in children under the age of 5 is caused by environmental exposures. WHO report Preventing disease through healthy environments: Towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease
  In English      WHO 
  en Español    OMS 
  en Français   OMS 
  
• Avian Influenza Avian Influenza
  This page offers a comprehensive, organized listing of all PAHO materials on the topic of avian influenza (bird flu), as well as links to other sites with relevant information, mainly at WHO and in the Region of the Americas.
  In English      (20.81k) 
  en Español    (22.18k) 
  
• Priorities in Health Priorities in Health
  Two overarching themes emerge from the extensive research and analyses in this World Bank publication: (1) Current resources can yield substantial health gains if knowledge of cost-effective interventions were applied more fully. (2) Additional resources are needed in low-income countries to minimize the glaring inequities in health care. Increased resources would provide highly-effective interventions, expand research, and extend basic health coverage to more people. WHO contributed to this publication.
  In English      DCPP 
  en Español    DCPP 
  en Français   DCPP 
  em Português DCPP 
  
• Investing in Global Health: 'Best Buys' and Priorities for Action in Developing Countries Investing in Global Health: 'Best Buys' and Priorities for Action in Developing Countries
  These three new volumes from the World Bank Disease Control Priorities Project--Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries (2^nd ed.), Priorities in Health, and Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors--are part of an ongoing initiative to provide technical resources to improve the health systems, and ultimately the health of people, in developing countries.
  In English      DCP Site 
  
• Seasonal Influenza Seasonal Influenza
  This page offers an organized listing of all PAHO documents on the topic of seasonal influenza, as well as links to other sites with relevant information, primarily at WHO and in the Region of the Americas.
  In English      (14.07k) 
  en Español    (16.32k) 
  
• Avian Influenza: Frequently Asked Questions (Weekly Epidemiological Record 80:44, pp. 377-384) Avian Influenza: Frequently Asked Questions (Weekly Epidemiological Record 80:44, pp. 377-384)
  This list of over 20 of the most common questions on avian influenza (bird flu) has been issued by the World Health Organization's weekly epidemiogical report.
  In English      WHO/WER 
  en Español    (32.41k)  (402.23k) 
  en Français   OMS/REH 
  
• Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER): Vol. 80, No. 33, pp. 277-288 Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER): Vol. 80, No. 33, pp. 277-288
  This issue contains two articles on influenza: Outbreak news on H5N1 avian influenza: first steps towards development of a human vaccine; and Influenza Vaccines: WHO Position Paper. The theme of the latter is seasonal influenza and the effects of antiviral vaccines on public health, in the framework of large-scale vaccine programs.
  In English      WHO/WER 
  en Español    (183.37k) 
  en Français   OMS/REH 
  
• SARS: Global Alert, Global Response SARS: Global Alert, Global Response
  This presentation of eight PowerPoint slides outlines how vital the global alert and response was in containing the worldwide SARS epidemic, how SARS is transmitted, its economic effects, and lessons learned for future application.
  In English      PowerPoint 
  en Español    PowerPoint 
  
• Master Infection Control Presentation: Infection Control Measures to Prevent Hospital Transmission (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/SARS) Master Infection Control Presentation: Infection Control Measures to Prevent Hospital Transmission (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/SARS)
  This six-part course in PDF copies of PowerPoint slides was prepared by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO/WPRO) with the objective of training hospital personnel in the proper prevention and control procedures for SARS, both for their own protection and to prevent hospital transmission. Sections include clinical management, personal protection equipment, scrubbing hands, patient management and transport, laboratory procedures, educating the public, and laundry and disinfection guidelines. The link to WPRO presentations appears on the PAHO web to facilitate distribution and use among hospital staff in the English-speaking countries of the Americas.
  In English      HTML 
  en Español    (3.83k) 
  
• Investigaciones Operativas sobre Atención Integrada a las Enfermedades Prevalentes de la Infancia (AIEPI) Investigaciones Operativas sobre Atención Integrada a las Enfermedades Prevalentes de la Infancia (AIEPI)
  Este volumen de investigaciones operativas prioritarias sobre la estrategia AIEPI incluye un conjunto de protocolos diseñados para su aplicación en los niveles locales que permiten, a la vez que evaluar resultados de la aplicación de la estrategia AIEPI, estudiar otros aspectos de la salud infantil que pueden merecer consideración adicional y que deben por lo tanto hacer parte de dicha estrategia. Esta página brinda un resumen del libro y acceso al texto completo en archivos de PDF.
  en Español    (11.97k) 
  
• Investigaciones operativas sobre el control de las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA) en Brasil Investigaciones operativas sobre el control de las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA) en Brasil
  Las investigaciones operativas están orientadas a la obtención de datos prácticos y a la toma de decisiones relativas a la aplicación de las intervenciones y a las actividades de control. Este libro consiste de 22 estudios etnográficos focalizados (EEF) como instrumentos destinados a preparar los elementos de los componentes de comunicación, educación y capacitación eficaces para concretizar las actividades de control de las IRA. La página brinda acceso a un resumen y al libro completo dividido en capítulos, en PDF.
  en Español    (15.23k)