MANILA, 22 July 2009, 16:00 hrs – The emergence of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus presents a new set of health challenges to those living with immunosuppressive diseases such as HIV/AIDS. This is particularly so in the Western Pacific Region where many people suffering from the disease lack ready access to the high-quality medical care they need to prolong their lives.
People living with HIV/AIDS are one of several categories of people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. In the Western Pacific Region this risk is heightened. There were 1.3 million people with HIV/AIDS in the Region in 2007, the most recent year in for which complete data are available, but only 28% of them have access to the drugs needed for antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, compared to 31% worldwide according to the WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF Universal Access Report of 2008.
Studies have shown that people with HIV/AIDS are at higher risk of serious illness and death from pneumonia or influenza during a normal influenza season. As such they are currently considered at possible higher risk for complications from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, which have included pneumonia. Pneumonia and tuberculosis are the two biggest causes of death among HIV/AIDS patients.
It is recommended, therefore, that country preparedness plans for Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 address the health needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Country HIV/AIDS plans, especially in countries with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, should consider action to mitigate the risk of complications from the new flu virus.
People with HIV/AIDS should take precautions to protect themselves from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Individuals in this group who do not have flu-like symptoms should avoid people who appear sick with the flu, refrain from touching their mouth and nose, wash their hands frequently, avoid crowds, and improve air-flow at home.
Those with flu-like symptoms should stay at home and follow local public health advice, keep their distance from others, and cover their mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing. If they need to see a doctor or visit a health care facility, they should wear a face mask if available, and health personnel should be informed of the patient’s flu symptoms and HIV status.
Globally, there were 33.2 million people with HIV/AIDS in 2007, of which 4 million lived in South Asia and South-East Asia, and 800 000 in East Asia. In the Western Pacific Region, only Papua New Guinea is considered to have a generalized epidemic of HIV/AIDS, where more than 1% of the adult population is living with the disease.
Cambodia, China, Malaysia and Viet Nam are experiencing epidemics of HIV/AIDS, with less than 1% of the overall population living with the illness, but more than 5% of certain high-risk groups such as commercial sex workers and injecting-drug-users.
In the Philippines, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, and all Pacific Island nations except Papua New Guinea, the epidemic is considered low-level with less than 1% of the general population and less than 5% of high-risk groups living with the disease.
Though the number of people living with HIV/AIDS, as a percentage of the population, is comparatively low in the Western Pacific Region, large numbers of such people live in poor communities without good medical care. Meanwhile, figures show that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Western Pacific Region is growing, with the number of cases rising by 550 000 to 1.3 million between 2001 and 2007, and deaths increasing from 30 000 to 63 000.
Solid data have not yet been established on any adverse reactions that might occur in people taking antiretroviral agents for HIV/AIDS together with the antiviral drugs most often used to treat the new flu virus. It is strongly advised that any co-medication of ARV’s and other antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir be closely monitored by medical specialists.
Others who may be at higher risk of serious disease from the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus include people with cancer or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, and people suffering from cardiac disease, diabetes, or chronic metabolic, renal, neurological, or blood conditions. Pregnant women, the morbidly obese, and smokers are also considered to be at increased risk.
The death toll from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is currently more than 700 worldwide and more than 50 in the Western Pacific Region.
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