…And medication on the way in case of flu infections

The virus has affected over twenty-four countries including several in Central America but as we reported earlier, there are still no known confirmed cases in the jewel. And treatment in the eventuality of confirmed cases is of paramount importance. Dr. Beverly Barnett, PAHO and World Health Organization Country Representative, says that we are receiving the medication we need.

Dr. Beverley Barnett, Country Representative, PAHO/W.H.O.
“The amount we are getting from the Panama stock pile is three thousand and eighty treatment courses. We are trying from the country’s office to procure and additional one thousand treatment doses so that will be four thousand plus and then. I think that’s a initial amount that we can start with and see how things go if we need anymore because remember there are very specific indications for the use of Oseltamivir. So I think that’s enough to go on with in addition to the oral suspension. The W.H.O. Vaccine Policy Advice Group will meet on the fourteenth of May to see whether enough evidence exists to recommend large scale A -H-one-N-one vaccine production. It’s noted that for seasonal influenza vaccine to immunize against that, there’s one dose, for Avian flu; two doses but for this new virus it will not be known how many doses will be needed until clinical trial are conducted on humans. So, you get the sense that this will take a little while, which is why we keep emphasizing the prevention and mitigating aspects.”