Over 33 000 laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection in Europe

As of 10 August 2009, 46 of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region had reported over 33 000 laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection, including 55 fatalities in 7 countries: Belgium, France, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Hospital emergency preparedness workshops

WHO/Europe is organizing three subregional workshops on hospital emergency preparedness with a focus on the influenza pandemic for 20 WHO Member States. The workshops are scheduled to be held from 8 to 10 September 2009 in Durres, Albania, from 22 to 24 September 2009 in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova and from 6 to 8 October 2009 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The workshops will strengthen countries’’ capacities to prepare, plan and implement the health facility response to health crises, including influenza pandemics, and contribute to the development of hospital response and contingency plans. Senior managers from ministries of health and hospital directors from selected priority hospitals, who have responsibilities in the area of hospital emergency management with a focus on response to the ongoing influenza pandemic, are invited to attend.

Pandemic vaccine briefing notes

A briefing note on the safety of pandemic vaccines, reassuring the public that regulatory procedures for the licensing of pandemic vaccines, including procedures for expediting regulatory approval, are rigorous and do not compromise safety or quality controls has been published. A second briefing note explaining the manufacturing process and timeline for pandemic influenza vaccine has also been issued.

Poster with advice for the general public

WHO/Europe has re-issued the poster ‘‘How to protect yourself and others’’, offering simple visual guidance to the general public. It is available in English, French, German and Russian, and can be downloaded from the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 web site.