Personal, Occupational, and Public Health Perspectives on Dealing with the First Case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the United Arab Emirates

Shah, Syed M.; Aw, Tar-Ching; Blair, Iain; Hashmey, Rayhan; Sheek-Hussein, Mahmoud

Effective and timely communication is essential to allay unwarranted concerns from the public and at the workplace. Queries from the media were channeled to a senior member of the administration from the office of the Dean -to ensure consistency in the information provided. He was briefed by public health physicians, occupational health physicians and hospital clinicians dealing directly with the case. A central news release was provided to staff and students on H1N1 reiterating the importance of hygiene in regards to limitation of transmission. The workplace was a university campus. This case did not have any lectures or meetings with students. Contact with a few coworkers was transient (not more than 15 minutes in the same area). These contacts were counselled on the low likelihood of acquiring the infection. They were informed about seeking medical advice if they had any other reasons for concern or if they developed H1N1 symptoms. Doctors, nurses and ancillary healthcare workers looking after the case while in hospital were briefed on hygiene and infection control procedures. N-95 masks, gloves and gowns were provided to health-care staff.