JUNIADEE AHMAD (Acting) Chief Executive Officer Public Relation Division Ministry of Health Brunei Darussalam

 2005 – ‘Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam Influenza Pandemic Plan’  Media and Public Relations Communications Sub- Committee

 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.

 ‘influenza like illness’ (a.k.a. human swine influenza) was 1 st reported on March 2009  1 st 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)

 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

 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

 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

 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.

 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

 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

FocusPlan of Action Establish communication team – Gather info – Monitor media through the newspapers, TV, internet, WHO – Conduct meetings as and when required – Develop TOR and communication plan Phase 1 : No new influenza virus sub-types detected in human – low risk of human infection

FocusPlan of Action Create awareness – Production of leaflets and posters Phase 2 : No new influenza virus sub-types detected in human – however substantial risk of human disease

FocusPlan of Action Update public and health care workers on disease situation Reassure public If Brunei not affected Communication team activated Issue circulars and memos to update and alert healthcare and other stakeholders on current situation Continuing education for healthcare workers Series of media interviews Public talks in mosques Roadshows to ministries Phase 3 : Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread

FocusPlan of Action Update public and health care workers on disease situation Reassure public If Brunei affected Distribute posters and leaflets Articles to newspapers Issue press release Develop webpage within MOH website Dissemination of information and advice through khutbah (Sharman) Travel advisory to and from affected area (if needed) Handling of hotline (media & PR) Phase 3 : Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread

FocusPlan of Action Heighten Phase 4 Phase 5 : Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localized

FocusPlan of Action Heighten Phase 5 Phase 6 : Pandemic phase – increased and sustained transmission in general population