H1N1 Virus Update: Latin America's Experience Shows Communication, Surveillance Are Critical

This news article on the World Bank website examines Latin America's experience with the H1N1 virus in the preceding 6 months, which "has revealed that early, aggressive and honest communication with the public and a strong public health surveillance system are critical in mounting an effective response to the virus."

This claim is supported by comments by Keith Hansen, World Bank Sector Manager for Health in the region. He observes that, after the virus was discovered in Mexico in April 2009, the government updated the public daily with information and took other measures, such as closing schools and encouraging people to stay home. Most other countries of the region have followed suit, says Hansen.

In addition, as the virus spread throughout the region, it became apparent that a good public health surveillance programme was needed to track and respond to the epidemic, he explains. Measures undertaken as part of such a system - e.g., examining factors such as what kind of people are getting infected, how quickly, how long they stay sick, how long they’re infectious, and where is it having the most severe impact - also help strengthen health systems to deal with regular health challenges as well as emergencies and pandemics, according to Hansen.

In recognition of the importance of such a strategy - and based on the belief that international collaboration is crucial - the World Bank has been working with the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and its regional bodies in Latin America (Pan American Health Organization). This global partnership focuses on helping developing countries acquire the H1N1 vaccine and increasing their overall pandemic readiness, in part through strengthening human and animal health systems.