The H1N1 post-mortem

Abstract

The H1 N1 pandemic started more than a year ago at the end of March in Mexico with Malta having it's first positive cases on the first of July. Since July 2009, we had 913 persons who were positive to Hl Nl with 261 cases hospitalised (207 with H1 N1 and 54 with Influenza A) and from these 8 cases needed intensive care. In all, 5 died as a result of this pandemic locally. Over 91 ,471 residents took the vaccine and 2,700 antiviral courses have been dispensed through the government pharmacies. In retrospect one would easily conclude that a massive amount of money has been spent on a minor threat but judgment using hindsight is not appropriate when dealing with the potential risk of a public health threat. The real question that needs to be asked is what are the aims and objectives for this country if the threat of a novel influenza virus emerged and was spreading all over the world? And where the objectives for the H1 N1 strategy achieved or not?