This report was prepared based on the indicators in the document Human infection with pandemic (H1N1)2009 virus: updated interim WHO guidance on global surveillance available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_surveillance_20090710/en/index.html
The qualitative indicators for surveillance of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 are described in Table 3 of this report. The information presented herein has been obtained through the official sites of the Ministries of Health of the countries in the Region as well as official reports submitted by the International Health Regulation (IHR) National Focal Points.
Update on the Qualitative Indicators
For Epidemiological Week 36 (EW 36), from 6 September to 12 September, 17 countries reported updated information to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) regarding the qualitative indicators to monitor pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Table 1). Only those 17 countries were included in this analysis.
Presently, 15 countries in the Region report having widespread geographical distribution of influenza virus. Brazil continues to report Regional activity and Dominica continues to report no activity (Map 1).
Honduras, Mexico, Peru, and the United States are the only countries reporting an increasing trend of respiratory disease and this represents change in these countries from last week. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, and Venezuela, reported a decreasing trend. The other six countries reported an unchanged trend (Map 2).
Regarding the intensity of acute respiratory disease, Bolivia, El Salvador, and Mexico reported high intensity of acute respiratory disease. The remaining 14 countries reported low or moderate intensity (Map 3).
Eight countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, United States, and Venezuela) reported moderate impact on health care services, while 8 countries reported low impact (Map 4).
In North America, Mexico and the United States are reporting widespread activity, increasing trend in respiratory disease activity, and moderate impact on healthcare services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend any travel restrictions or border closings due to pandemic (H1N1) 2009.