Samoas pandemic preparedness initiatives are currently under stringent performance review by international health consultants as a result of the midterm review of a major regional pandemic project.

The Pacific Regional Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Project (PRIPPP) was originally established following reports of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N1 towards the end of 2003.

According to published reports, the current concern is that this HPAI virus or a newly formed recombinant may acquire the ability to transmit from human to human, and may develop into a global human pandemic.

PRIPPP, which was initiated in 2006 by the Secretariat of Pacific Community in partnership with the World Health Organisation under the framework of the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network.

In Samoa the Ministry of Health says that plans are in place to keep the influenza out of Samoa, manage the influenza if it does reach our shores and to recover from it as quickly as possible if it can not be averted.

The Ministry of Health says that they are working with other key government Ministries, the private sector and NGOs to develop appropriate and realistic plans for preventing or delaying, managing and recovering from an influenza pandemic in Samoa.

The Ministry of Agriculture Forests and Fisheries (MAFF) will also keep a vigilant look out for any outbreaks of disease, or unusual deaths, among domestic animals.

According to published reports, these will be priority investigation by the MAFF.

Both Ministries are encouraging farmers to report any unusual events promptly and to cooperate with necessary investigations.

MOH and MAFF also advise that chickens that become sick or die should not be used for food or handled unnecessarily.

MOH says that Samoa does not import any poultry or poultry products from countries affected by the avian influenza outbreaks.

In a Statement MOH reports that the Quarantine Division of MAFF constantly monitor the status of outbreaks in countries exporting products to Samoa and can review import permits at any time.

“There is no need to avoid these products at the present time, but as always they should be prepared safely and cooked thoroughly. The World Health Organisation advises that any influenza virus present in poultry meat or eggs would be inactivated by proper cooking,” MOH stated.

According to the Ministry the main risk to Samoa from the current avian influenza outbreaks in Asia and Europe will occur if and when the bird flu virus mutates to become a new human influenza virus that can be easily transmitted from person to person.

The avian influenza virus is currently more widespread than ever before, meaning that there is a greater risk of human contact and thus of mutation to human virus.

The Preparedness issues for Samoa as relayed by MOH include border control plans to protect Samoa from the virus, rapid public health action if a case is detected and to minimize severe illness and death, as well as ensuring the least possible social disruption.

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