Topic: Pandemic Flu
Country: Poland
Delegate Name: Rachael Gingerich
School: Saline High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Poland position papers GLIMUN 2009 committees
More than 399,000 laboratory confirmed cases of Pandemic Influenza H1N1 have been confirmed by the World Health organization. 4,735 deaths have also been reported. Poland strives to decrease risk of infection amongst its own citizens and those in the European Region during this critical stage of the Pandemic flu.
While it is an undoubted concern that modern travel permits a more rapid spread of the pandemic flu, Poland is determined to maintain open borders and prevent restrictions on international travel. Our government believes that prevention of travel will not prevent the spread of the disease, as Poland complies with the recommendations of WHO. Poland believes strongly in EU/WHO cooperation to control this pandemic. Poland wants to make evidenced policy decisions which permit flexible preparedness. The National Influenza Center operating in Poland is part of the Regional strategy to prevent and treat H1N1. The main pillars of this operation consist of documentation of the condition of the disease for national and international study, national awareness, and increasing influenza vaccinations for residents. While Poland is currently experiencing a sporadic pandemic, our country wants to prevent a denser level of internal infection. Poland's eastern border with Ukraine, in which 250,000 cases of influenza-like illness have been reported, is a heavy region of concern. The increasing rate of infection within Ukraine is a predictor for the European Region's oncoming winter. Transparent reporting is encouraged throughout Poland, as has been responsibly facilitated in its neighboring Ukraine.
In dealing with the Pandemic Influenza H1N1, Poland will follow the phases and framework for preparedness as specified by WHO and participate in transparent reporting. As this specific virus effects otherwise healthy people under fifty and progresses rapidly, Poland will consider all of its citizens primary risk groups and take appropriate measures to ensure that demand for vaccination is met with supply. Poland will continue to advocate for responsible use of antiviral drugs to prevent the formation of resistant strains. As H1N1 is a worldwide epidemic, Poland looks to aid all countries through its policy of transparency.
