https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)

MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON INFLUENZA – PREVENTIVE MEASURES

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately one billion cases of seasonal influenza each year, leading to 3–5 million instances of severe disease. Tragically, this results in 290,000–650,000 respiratory deaths annually. ¹

Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, capable of causing mild to severe illness and, in some cases, even death. Seasonal influenza outbreaks are common worldwide, particularly during colder months. However, there are effective preventive measures available to greatly minimize the risk of contracting and spreading the flu.

Vaccination:

Getting an annual influenza vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu and its complications. The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies against the virus strains included in the vaccine, providing protection throughout the flu season. It’s important to get vaccinated each year as the circulating flu strains can change.

Hand Hygiene:

Frequent handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers is crucial in preventing the spread of influenza viruses. Viruses can live on surfaces for hours, and touching these surfaces and then touching your face can lead to infection. Make it a habit to wash your hands thoroughly, especially before eating or touching your face.

Respiratory Hygiene:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets containing the virus. Dispose of tissues immediately and wash your hands afterward. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and if you are sick, stay home to prevent spreading the virus to others.

Boosting Immunity:

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can strengthen your immune system and help fight off infections. This includes eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, managing stress levels, and getting enough sleep. A healthy immune system is better equipped to defend against influenza viruses.

Avoid Touching Your Face:

Influenza viruses can enter your body through your eyes, nose, or mouth. Avoid touching your face, particularly with unwashed hands, to reduce the risk of infection. If you do need to touch your face, ensure your hands are clean.

High-Risk Individuals:

Certain groups are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, including young children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions. It’s particularly important for these individuals to get vaccinated and take extra precautions to avoid exposure to the virus. ²

Preventing influenza requires a combination of personal hygiene practices, vaccination, and healthy lifestyle choices. By adopting these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of getting infected with the flu and protect both yourself and those around you from this contagious illness.

References

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/whoshouldvax.htm

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VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES

Uncategorized / cfhinitiative

Millions of lives are saved annually by vaccination, making it a success story in global health and development. Vaccines lower the chance of contracting an illness by enhancing your body’s defenses against infection.1

Vaccination also reduces the risk of spreading the diseases among family members, school mates or colleagues, friends and neighbours, as well as to other people in the community.2 However, despite their proven efficacy, vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) continue to pose significant challenges globally, underscoring the importance of vaccination efforts.

VPDs are illnesses that can be effectively prevented through vaccination. These diseases range from relatively common infections like influenza and measles to more severe conditions such as polio and hepatitis. While some VPDs have been largely eradicated in certain regions due to successful vaccination campaigns, others remain prevalent, particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare and vaccination programs.

Measles, for example, once considered eliminated in many developed countries, has seen a resurgence in recent years due to gaps in vaccine coverage and hesitancy.3 The highly contagious nature of measles underscores the importance of high vaccination rates to achieve herd immunity, protecting vulnerable populations such as infants who are too young to be vaccinated and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Polio serves as another stark reminder of the importance of vaccination. While significant progress has been made in reducing polio cases globally, the disease remains endemic in a few countries. Efforts to eradicate polio entirely continue, highlighting the necessity of sustained vaccination efforts and international cooperation. In Nigeria, the Nigeria Polio Lab Sample Transport (PLST) Project sought to contribute to Goal 2 – Stop poliovirus transmission and prevent outbreaks in non-endemic countries – of the Global Polio Eradication Strategy 2022 -2026. It focused on increasing the speed of detection and precision surveillance system.4, 5.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, poses a yearly challenge due to its ability to mutate rapidly, necessitating annual vaccination campaigns. While influenza vaccines may not offer complete immunity, they significantly reduce the severity of illness and lower the risk of complications, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and individuals with chronic health conditions.6

Hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines represent notable advancements in preventing certain types of cancer. Hepatitis B vaccination at birth has significantly reduced the incidence of chronic hepatitis B infection and liver cancer, while HPV vaccination has led to a decrease in HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer. In 2023, CFHI with support from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA), and other stakeholders, trained and equipped 10 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine champions from Kurudu ward in Bwari Area Council on demand generation, sensitization, and referral for HPV Vaccine Uptake in Kurudu Community. As of December 2023, about 4000 people were sensitized, and 2300 girls were mobilized for HPV vaccination in Kurudu ward.7

Vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation and mistrust, poses a significant obstacle to achieving optimal vaccine coverage. Addressing vaccine hesitancy requires comprehensive public health education efforts to dispel myths and misconceptions, build trust in vaccines, and emphasize their safety and efficacy based on scientific evidence.

Furthermore, ensuring equitable access to vaccines is essential to reducing disparities in disease burden and achieving global health security. Efforts to improve vaccine distribution infrastructure, strengthen healthcare systems, and address socioeconomic barriers are critical in reaching underserved communities and achieving universal vaccine coverage.
Join CFHI’s “Monday Health Burst” initiative on all social media platforms for weekly discussions on basic health concern.

References:

https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/vaccine-preventable-diseases

https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1

https://www.cfhinitiative.org/ongoing-projects/

https://www.cfhinitiative.org/media-releases/annual-reports/cfhi-annual-report-2022-2/

https://www.who.int/news/item/29-11-2018-measles-cases-spike-globally-due-to-gaps-in-vaccination-coverage

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)