Pandemic Flu, Are You Prepared?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 —
As the world continues to monitor the swine flu (H1N1 flu outbreak) situation, you may hear references to “pandemic flu”. Stories in the media are constant as health officials around the globe are watching whether the current flu outbreak evolves into a pandemic.
What is pandemic flu and what does it really mean?
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges and humans have little or no immunity toward it. The virus begins to cause serious illness which spreads easily from person to person around the world.
While this video contains references to “bird flu,” the steps it urges the public to take also apply to swine flu (H1N1).
Reports of swine flu outbreaks are growing. Caused by an influenza virus of swine origin, the number of cases continues to develop in the United States and internationally. Whether the situation reaches pandemic status or not, it reminds us that pandemic flu is a reality and we must prepare for it.
The American Red Cross offers a short video to help individuals understand a pandemic flu and how to be prepared. It covers a range of topics from explaining how the flu spreads to offering prevention strategies and tips on developing a family preparedness plan by getting a preparedness kit, making a plan and being informed.
Help others to be prepared, pass the video along to family members and friends.
More information is available on the Red Cross Web site. Up-to-the-minute updates on the swine flu can be found at the CDC Web site. People seeking information on human swine flu should visit the CDC Web site or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
About the American Red Cross:The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
Related Links
Flu Checklist [PDF]
Español: Seguridad contra la gripe [PDF]
Prepare for Events: Pandemic Flu
addthis_pub = 'AmericanRedCross';
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
2009-H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Development Next Steps: Questions and Answers
1. What do the new orders on these contracts support?
The objective of the new orders on these contracts is to allow the U.S. government to manufacture and test pre-pandemic vaccines against the newly emerging 2009-H1N1 virus for the U.S. pre-pandemic influenza vaccine stockpile. This is an important step in order to build a stockpile of at least 40 million doses of 2009-H1N1 vaccine and add it to the stockpile of pre-pandemic vaccines. Because of the virus’ recent emergence, there were no doses of 2009-H1N1 in the U.S. stockpile.
2. How is the 2009-H1N1 different from seasonal influenza?
Each influenza season H1N1 is one of the viruses circulating in people and causing disease. The 2009-H1N1 has acquired H1 and N1 genes from swine to create a new version of the H1N1 virus (called 2009-H1N1) that is significantly different from the seasonal H1N1 that has been circulating in people.
3. Will the seasonal vaccine protect me against the 2009-H1N1 influenza?
Preliminary analysis of serum from people immunized with the seasonal influenza vaccine done at the CDC suggests that the seasonal vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against 2009-H1N1.
4. Will this vaccine be made differently than the seasonal influenza vaccine?
No. This vaccine will be made using the same processes and facilities that are used to make the currently licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.
5. Will all this vaccine be injectable?
No. Some of the vaccine will be a live attenuated vaccine that is sprayed into the nose to immunize a person.
6. What about other vaccine manufacturing technologies, like recombinant or cell-based vaccines?
For this phase the U.S. government response has been focused on the currently licensed vaccine manufacturers. We are continuing to investigate how the U.S. government may use other technologies as part of the response to the 2009-H1N1.
7. When will the work on the 2009-H1N1 vaccine start?
The work has already started to develop a vaccine, and these new orders on existing contracts are for the first large-scale manufacturing of ingredients that could be used in a potential H1N1 vaccine. Laboratories are already working on the generation of the seed viruses needed for vaccine production. These should be available for the distribution to the vaccine manufacturers around June 1. Once the manufacturers have completed their seasonal influenza vaccine production, they will start production of the 2009-H1N1 vaccine.
8. What testing will be done on these vaccines?
In addition to the usual testing done for seasonal influenza vaccines, there will be clinical testing in people to determine the most effective and safest dose to generate a strong immune response to the 2009-H1N1 virus.
9. How many doses will be needed to be immunized?
This will be determined during the clinical studies. It could be one dose, like the seasonal vaccine, but it could be two doses since the population has little or no immunity to the 2009-H1N1 virus, which has not infected humans previously.
10. What is an adjuvant?
An adjuvant is an additive to a vaccine that helps to generate a stronger immune response to the vaccine. When using an adjuvant it is often possible to reduce the size of the vaccine dose and the number of doses needed. So the use of an adjuvant can reduce the amount of vaccine needed to immunize a population.
11. Does the current seasonal influenza vaccine use an adjuvant?
No, there are currently no U.S. licensed influenza vaccines with adjuvant.
12. How will it be decided if an adjuvant will be used in this vaccine?
Experts will review the safety and immunogenicity data from the clinical testing of this vaccine and make a determination based on what is the safest and most effective dosage for the generation of a strong immune response.
13. What is an influenza pandemic?
An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person. Unlike seasonal influenza, people will have little immunity to the virus that causes a pandemic.
Article property of the US Department of Health and Human Services:
https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/BARDA/MCM/panflu/nextsteps.aspx
The objective of the new orders on these contracts is to allow the U.S. government to manufacture and test pre-pandemic vaccines against the newly emerging 2009-H1N1 virus for the U.S. pre-pandemic influenza vaccine stockpile. This is an important step in order to build a stockpile of at least 40 million doses of 2009-H1N1 vaccine and add it to the stockpile of pre-pandemic vaccines. Because of the virus’ recent emergence, there were no doses of 2009-H1N1 in the U.S. stockpile.
2. How is the 2009-H1N1 different from seasonal influenza?
Each influenza season H1N1 is one of the viruses circulating in people and causing disease. The 2009-H1N1 has acquired H1 and N1 genes from swine to create a new version of the H1N1 virus (called 2009-H1N1) that is significantly different from the seasonal H1N1 that has been circulating in people.
3. Will the seasonal vaccine protect me against the 2009-H1N1 influenza?
Preliminary analysis of serum from people immunized with the seasonal influenza vaccine done at the CDC suggests that the seasonal vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against 2009-H1N1.
4. Will this vaccine be made differently than the seasonal influenza vaccine?
No. This vaccine will be made using the same processes and facilities that are used to make the currently licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.
5. Will all this vaccine be injectable?
No. Some of the vaccine will be a live attenuated vaccine that is sprayed into the nose to immunize a person.
6. What about other vaccine manufacturing technologies, like recombinant or cell-based vaccines?
For this phase the U.S. government response has been focused on the currently licensed vaccine manufacturers. We are continuing to investigate how the U.S. government may use other technologies as part of the response to the 2009-H1N1.
7. When will the work on the 2009-H1N1 vaccine start?
The work has already started to develop a vaccine, and these new orders on existing contracts are for the first large-scale manufacturing of ingredients that could be used in a potential H1N1 vaccine. Laboratories are already working on the generation of the seed viruses needed for vaccine production. These should be available for the distribution to the vaccine manufacturers around June 1. Once the manufacturers have completed their seasonal influenza vaccine production, they will start production of the 2009-H1N1 vaccine.
8. What testing will be done on these vaccines?
In addition to the usual testing done for seasonal influenza vaccines, there will be clinical testing in people to determine the most effective and safest dose to generate a strong immune response to the 2009-H1N1 virus.
9. How many doses will be needed to be immunized?
This will be determined during the clinical studies. It could be one dose, like the seasonal vaccine, but it could be two doses since the population has little or no immunity to the 2009-H1N1 virus, which has not infected humans previously.
10. What is an adjuvant?
An adjuvant is an additive to a vaccine that helps to generate a stronger immune response to the vaccine. When using an adjuvant it is often possible to reduce the size of the vaccine dose and the number of doses needed. So the use of an adjuvant can reduce the amount of vaccine needed to immunize a population.
11. Does the current seasonal influenza vaccine use an adjuvant?
No, there are currently no U.S. licensed influenza vaccines with adjuvant.
12. How will it be decided if an adjuvant will be used in this vaccine?
Experts will review the safety and immunogenicity data from the clinical testing of this vaccine and make a determination based on what is the safest and most effective dosage for the generation of a strong immune response.
13. What is an influenza pandemic?
An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person. Unlike seasonal influenza, people will have little immunity to the virus that causes a pandemic.
Article property of the US Department of Health and Human Services:
https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/BARDA/MCM/panflu/nextsteps.aspx
Get your shots for seasonal flu — a hidden threat
The federal government estimated deaths from seasonal flu at 13,000 in almost five months — and that's before the outbreak of swine flu. These Seattle area health experts note that many of these deaths can be avoided if more people would protect themselves and their families by getting an annual flu shot.
By David Fleming, Kathleen Neuzil and Ann Marie Kimball
Special to The Times
THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that at least 13,000 people died from influenza in the United States in four months.
That recent news item is not a fiction or a forecast, it is fact. But there's a twist.
This CDC estimate is from one month ago, before the arrival of the new A H1N1 flu strain (also referred to as swine flu). These 13,000 deaths between January and late April were from seasonal influenza that strikes this country every winter and that over the past several months has been killing 800 Americans a week.
As the dust of the A H1N1 outbreak settles, an inconvenient truth is becoming more apparent. Every year, influenza circles the global and kills an estimated 250,000-500,000 people. In an average year, 36,000 of those people live in the United States — a country that spends more on health care than any other country.
It's hard to believe that thousands die each year in this country from a disease largely preventable by a vaccine that most of us have chosen not to get. People who are at high risk of serious flu-related complications include pregnant women, children younger than 5 years old, people of all ages with chronic medical conditions and people 65 years and older.
Yet people are not being immunized. According to recent national surveys, only 30 percent of infants and fewer than 15 percent of pregnant women are immunized against flu. Among the elderly, who account for nine out of 10 flu deaths in the United States, only two-thirds are immunized. And flu-shot rates are lowest in young, healthy people (13 percent among adults 18-49 without high-risk conditions) — the same population most affected to date by the new A H1N1 strain.
As we race to find solutions to defeat this new flu, we are at risk of tripping over an old problem — failure to effectively vaccinate ourselves against seasonal influenza.
It's uncertain at this time how severe this novel flu outbreak will be in terms of illness and death. Government agencies and manufacturers are at work developing a new vaccine but this will take many months. The good news is that production of the seasonal flu vaccine for next season is nearly complete and will be completed.
So how do we increase flu-vaccine rates? The two-part answer is simple in concept:
We need to make flu shots more available. Health-insurance policies should cover flu shots. Doctors should routinely schedule their high-risk patients to be immunized each fall. Businesses, schools, shopping malls and public-health centers should offer flu-shot clinics. (The federal government pays for the flu vaccine for anyone 18 or younger on Medicaid or without insurance.)
We need to change our behavior and take advantage of this availability. We should become better at getting the word out about the importance and availability of influenza vaccines, and we must dispel the myths on the safety of the vaccine. In reality, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
In short, we should use the H1N1 scare as a wake-up call to get our act together for the annual administration of influenza vaccine. At worst, we will prevent a lot more seasonal influenza deaths; at best we will be better prepared to deploy future vaccines against the return of H1N1 or whatever pandemic strain Mother Nature chooses to throw at us.
Dr. David Fleming is director of Public Health-Seattle & King County; Dr. Kathleen Neuzil is director of the Influenza Vaccine Project, PATH; and Dr. Ann Marie Kimball is director of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Emerging Infections Network, University of Washington. Alan Aderem, director of the Institute for Systems Biology and Dr. King Holmes, chair of the UW Department of Global Health, also contributed to this article.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
By David Fleming, Kathleen Neuzil and Ann Marie Kimball
Special to The Times
THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that at least 13,000 people died from influenza in the United States in four months.
That recent news item is not a fiction or a forecast, it is fact. But there's a twist.
This CDC estimate is from one month ago, before the arrival of the new A H1N1 flu strain (also referred to as swine flu). These 13,000 deaths between January and late April were from seasonal influenza that strikes this country every winter and that over the past several months has been killing 800 Americans a week.
As the dust of the A H1N1 outbreak settles, an inconvenient truth is becoming more apparent. Every year, influenza circles the global and kills an estimated 250,000-500,000 people. In an average year, 36,000 of those people live in the United States — a country that spends more on health care than any other country.
It's hard to believe that thousands die each year in this country from a disease largely preventable by a vaccine that most of us have chosen not to get. People who are at high risk of serious flu-related complications include pregnant women, children younger than 5 years old, people of all ages with chronic medical conditions and people 65 years and older.
Yet people are not being immunized. According to recent national surveys, only 30 percent of infants and fewer than 15 percent of pregnant women are immunized against flu. Among the elderly, who account for nine out of 10 flu deaths in the United States, only two-thirds are immunized. And flu-shot rates are lowest in young, healthy people (13 percent among adults 18-49 without high-risk conditions) — the same population most affected to date by the new A H1N1 strain.
As we race to find solutions to defeat this new flu, we are at risk of tripping over an old problem — failure to effectively vaccinate ourselves against seasonal influenza.
It's uncertain at this time how severe this novel flu outbreak will be in terms of illness and death. Government agencies and manufacturers are at work developing a new vaccine but this will take many months. The good news is that production of the seasonal flu vaccine for next season is nearly complete and will be completed.
So how do we increase flu-vaccine rates? The two-part answer is simple in concept:
We need to make flu shots more available. Health-insurance policies should cover flu shots. Doctors should routinely schedule their high-risk patients to be immunized each fall. Businesses, schools, shopping malls and public-health centers should offer flu-shot clinics. (The federal government pays for the flu vaccine for anyone 18 or younger on Medicaid or without insurance.)
We need to change our behavior and take advantage of this availability. We should become better at getting the word out about the importance and availability of influenza vaccines, and we must dispel the myths on the safety of the vaccine. In reality, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
In short, we should use the H1N1 scare as a wake-up call to get our act together for the annual administration of influenza vaccine. At worst, we will prevent a lot more seasonal influenza deaths; at best we will be better prepared to deploy future vaccines against the return of H1N1 or whatever pandemic strain Mother Nature chooses to throw at us.
Dr. David Fleming is director of Public Health-Seattle & King County; Dr. Kathleen Neuzil is director of the Influenza Vaccine Project, PATH; and Dr. Ann Marie Kimball is director of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Emerging Infections Network, University of Washington. Alan Aderem, director of the Institute for Systems Biology and Dr. King Holmes, chair of the UW Department of Global Health, also contributed to this article.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Thursday, May 14, 2009
H1N1 Updates
UPDATE ON THE SITUATION
A New Virus Emerges
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, and has sparked a growing outbreak of illness in the United States with an increasing number of cases being reported internationally as well.
CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks because the population has little to no immunity against it. Novel influenza A (H1N1) activity is now being detected in two of CDC’s routine influenza surveillance systems as reported in the May 8, 2009 FluView (PDF). FluView is a weekly report that tracks U.S. influenza activity through multiple systems across five categories.
The May 8 FluView found that the number of people visiting their doctors with influenza-like-illness is higher than expected in the United States for this time of year. Second, laboratory data shows that regular seasonal influenza A (H1N1), (H3N2) and influenza B viruses are still circulating in the United States, but novel influenza A (H1N1) and “unsubtypable”* viruses now account for a significant number of the viruses detected in the United States.
It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.
CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to the outbreak. CDC’s response goals are to reduce the spread and severity of illness, and to provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this new public health threat.
Increased Testing
CDC has developed a PCR diagnostic test kit to detect this novel H1N1 virus and has now distributed test kits to all states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The test kits are being shipped internationally as well. This will allow states and other countries to test for this new virus. This increase in testing will likely result in an increase in the number of confirmed cases of illness reported. This, combined with ongoing monitoring through Flu View should provide a fuller picture of the burden of disease in the United States over time.
CDC is issuing updated interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation.
Clinician Guidance
CDC has issued interim guidance for clinicians on identifying and caring for patients with novel H1N1, in addition to providing interim guidance on the use of antiviral drugs. Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including novel influenza H1N1 viruses. The priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during this outbreak is to treat severe influenza illness, including people who are hospitalized or sick people who are considered at high risk of serious influenza-related complications.
Public Guidance
In addition, CDC has provided guidance for the public on what to do if they become sick with flu-like symptoms, including infection with novel H1N1. CDC also has issued instructions on taking care of a sick person at home. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, a significant number of people also have reported nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Everyone should take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, including frequent hand washing and people who are sick should stay home and avoid contact with others in order to limit further spread of the disease.
*Unsubtypable viruses are viruses that through normal testing cannot be subtyped as regularly occurring human seasonal influenza viruses. In the context of the current outbreak, it’s likely that most of these unsubtypable viruses are novel H1N1.
U.S. HUMAN CASES OF H1N1 FLU INFECTION
As of May 13, 2009, CDC has confirmed 3,352 human cases and 3 deaths in 45 states (including the District of Columbia):
Alabama: 9
Arizona: 187
California: 221
Colorado: 44
Connecticut: 33
Delaware: 54
Florida: 58
Georgia: 8
Hawaii: 6
Idaho: 3
Illinois: 592
Indiana: 70
Iowa: 55
Kansas: 23
Kentucky: 10
Louisiana: 33
Maine: 6
Maryland: 23
Massachusetts: 107
Michigan: 134
Minnesota: 31
Missouri: 18
Montana: 1
Nebraska: 21
Nevada: 21
New Hampshire: 17
New Jersey: 8
New Mexico: 44
New York: 211
North Carolina: 12
Ohio: 11
Oklahoma: 22
Oregon: 74
Pennsylvania: 22
Rhode Island: 7
South Carolina: 32
South Dakota: 3
Tennessee: 57
Texas: 293 (2 deaths)
Utah: 72
Vermont:1
Virginia: 17
Washington: 176 (1 death)
Washington, D.C.: 9
Wisconsin: 496
For more information, see the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN CASES OF H1N1 FLU INFECTION
For information about the global situation, see the World Health Organization website.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY HEALTHY
Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
For more information on what you can to stay safe and healthy, check the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
A New Virus Emerges
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, and has sparked a growing outbreak of illness in the United States with an increasing number of cases being reported internationally as well.
CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks because the population has little to no immunity against it. Novel influenza A (H1N1) activity is now being detected in two of CDC’s routine influenza surveillance systems as reported in the May 8, 2009 FluView (PDF). FluView is a weekly report that tracks U.S. influenza activity through multiple systems across five categories.
The May 8 FluView found that the number of people visiting their doctors with influenza-like-illness is higher than expected in the United States for this time of year. Second, laboratory data shows that regular seasonal influenza A (H1N1), (H3N2) and influenza B viruses are still circulating in the United States, but novel influenza A (H1N1) and “unsubtypable”* viruses now account for a significant number of the viruses detected in the United States.
It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.
CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to the outbreak. CDC’s response goals are to reduce the spread and severity of illness, and to provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this new public health threat.
Increased Testing
CDC has developed a PCR diagnostic test kit to detect this novel H1N1 virus and has now distributed test kits to all states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The test kits are being shipped internationally as well. This will allow states and other countries to test for this new virus. This increase in testing will likely result in an increase in the number of confirmed cases of illness reported. This, combined with ongoing monitoring through Flu View should provide a fuller picture of the burden of disease in the United States over time.
CDC is issuing updated interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation.
Clinician Guidance
CDC has issued interim guidance for clinicians on identifying and caring for patients with novel H1N1, in addition to providing interim guidance on the use of antiviral drugs. Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including novel influenza H1N1 viruses. The priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during this outbreak is to treat severe influenza illness, including people who are hospitalized or sick people who are considered at high risk of serious influenza-related complications.
Public Guidance
In addition, CDC has provided guidance for the public on what to do if they become sick with flu-like symptoms, including infection with novel H1N1. CDC also has issued instructions on taking care of a sick person at home. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, a significant number of people also have reported nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Everyone should take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, including frequent hand washing and people who are sick should stay home and avoid contact with others in order to limit further spread of the disease.
*Unsubtypable viruses are viruses that through normal testing cannot be subtyped as regularly occurring human seasonal influenza viruses. In the context of the current outbreak, it’s likely that most of these unsubtypable viruses are novel H1N1.
U.S. HUMAN CASES OF H1N1 FLU INFECTION
As of May 13, 2009, CDC has confirmed 3,352 human cases and 3 deaths in 45 states (including the District of Columbia):
Alabama: 9
Arizona: 187
California: 221
Colorado: 44
Connecticut: 33
Delaware: 54
Florida: 58
Georgia: 8
Hawaii: 6
Idaho: 3
Illinois: 592
Indiana: 70
Iowa: 55
Kansas: 23
Kentucky: 10
Louisiana: 33
Maine: 6
Maryland: 23
Massachusetts: 107
Michigan: 134
Minnesota: 31
Missouri: 18
Montana: 1
Nebraska: 21
Nevada: 21
New Hampshire: 17
New Jersey: 8
New Mexico: 44
New York: 211
North Carolina: 12
Ohio: 11
Oklahoma: 22
Oregon: 74
Pennsylvania: 22
Rhode Island: 7
South Carolina: 32
South Dakota: 3
Tennessee: 57
Texas: 293 (2 deaths)
Utah: 72
Vermont:1
Virginia: 17
Washington: 176 (1 death)
Washington, D.C.: 9
Wisconsin: 496
For more information, see the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN CASES OF H1N1 FLU INFECTION
For information about the global situation, see the World Health Organization website.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY HEALTHY
Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
For more information on what you can to stay safe and healthy, check the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Frequently Asked Questions about H1N1
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT H1N1
Updated: May 7, 2009
Also see: Center for Disease Control
Q. Do any swine in the United States have the H1N1 flu virus that has infected humans?
A. There is no evidence at this time that swine in the United States are infected with this virus strain.
Q. Can the H1N1 virus be transferred from humans to swine or vice versa?
A. USDA's National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, is conducting tests to determine the transmissibility and severity of the H1N1 flu virus in pigs. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) through its surveillance, announced recently that it found the H1N1 flu virus in a swine herd in Alberta. The CFIA believes it is highly probable that the pigs were exposed to the virus from a Canadian who had recently returned from Mexico and had been exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Signs of illness were subsequently observed in the pigs. The individual has recovered and all of the pigs are recovering or have recovered. The pigs are in quarantine.
USDA continues to monitor the U.S. swine herd and to date, this particular strain of H1N1 has not been found in U.S. swine.
Q. Can I get this new strain of virus from eating pork or pork products?
A. No. According to USDA scientists, H1N1 flu is not a foodborne disease, it is a respiratory disease. USDA continues to educate the public through its food safety efforts and reminds consumers that all meat and poultry products are safe to eat when properly prepared and cooked as this kills all foodborne pathogens. More information about safe food handling is at www.befoodsafe.gov.
Q. What steps can I take to make sure that I prepare my food properly?
A. USDA reminds consumers to practice safe food handling and preparation techniques for all meat and poultry. Eating properly handled and cooked meat and poultry products are safe. Information about safe food preparation and cooking is available at www.befoodsafe.gov.
Q. What is this flu that people are talking about in the news?
A. It is a new strain of flu that consists of a mixture of genetic material from swine, avian and human influenza viruses.
Q. Is USDA testing and monitoring to make sure swine are not infected with the virus and if so, how?
A. A network of Federal veterinarians, state animal health officials and private practitioners are regularly involved with monitoring U.S. swine for signs of significant disease.
To date, there have been no reports that the influenza virus currently causing illness in humans is circulating anywhere in the U.S. swine herd.
As a proactive measure, USDA is reaching out to all state animal health officials to affirm they have no signs of this virus type in their state.
USDA has put U.S. pork producers on a high alert for safety.
As part of a comprehensive safeguarding system, USDA's laboratories routinely provide diagnostic and research services in support of ongoing operational programs.
Q. How will the public be notified if the government finds H1N1 flu in a U.S. herd?
A. Delivering factual, timely information is a priority for USDA. Should there be a detection of influenza in the U.S. swine herd, those results would be shared with the public in a timely fashion.
As with all potential animal health disease situations, USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories stand ready to provide support of disease control and eradication programs, reagents for diagnostic testing, training and laboratory certification.
Q. Can you get H1N1 flu from being around or touching swine?
A. The CDC says that the spread of H1N1 flu can occur in two ways:
Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with H1N1 flu virus.
Through contact with a person with H1N1 flu. Human-to-human spread of the H1N1 flu is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Q. How do we ensure that we take the appropriate measures to protect our swine?
A. We encourage commercial pork producers to intensify the bio-security practices they've long had in place. They should not loan equipment or vehicles to or borrow them from other farms. Swine from outside sources, such as transitional herds should not be brought back to the farm. Transitional herd is the term we use to define those herds that have some likelihood of contact with feral swine.
They should permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm. Swine workers should disinfect their shoes, clothes and hands. They should thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles entering and leaving the farm and avoid visiting other livestock farms without proper cleaning and disinfection.
Also, they should report sick animals immediately. The industry understands the importance of preventing spread of the virus as quickly as possible to protect the industry.
Q. Is there a vaccine for humans for this new strain?
A.The CDC should answer any questions about a vaccine. According to the CDC, there is no vaccine to protect humans from this new variant H1N1 flu. Go to www.cdc.gov for more information.
Q. Is my potbelly pig in danger? Can I get it from my pet?
A. There is no evidence at this time that the virus is in U.S. swine.
Swine owners should learn the warning signs of swine influenza. Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed. If your pig is showing any of these signs, call your veterinarian.
Buy your animals from reputable sources and ensure that you have documentation of your new pet's origin. Be sure that you get your new animals checked by a veterinarian.
Keep your pigs and areas around them clean. If you have been around other animals, make sure that you clean your shoes, clothing, and other items. And don't forget to wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling your pet.
Last Modified: 05/07/2009
Updated: May 7, 2009
Also see: Center for Disease Control
Q. Do any swine in the United States have the H1N1 flu virus that has infected humans?
A. There is no evidence at this time that swine in the United States are infected with this virus strain.
Q. Can the H1N1 virus be transferred from humans to swine or vice versa?
A. USDA's National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, is conducting tests to determine the transmissibility and severity of the H1N1 flu virus in pigs. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) through its surveillance, announced recently that it found the H1N1 flu virus in a swine herd in Alberta. The CFIA believes it is highly probable that the pigs were exposed to the virus from a Canadian who had recently returned from Mexico and had been exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Signs of illness were subsequently observed in the pigs. The individual has recovered and all of the pigs are recovering or have recovered. The pigs are in quarantine.
USDA continues to monitor the U.S. swine herd and to date, this particular strain of H1N1 has not been found in U.S. swine.
Q. Can I get this new strain of virus from eating pork or pork products?
A. No. According to USDA scientists, H1N1 flu is not a foodborne disease, it is a respiratory disease. USDA continues to educate the public through its food safety efforts and reminds consumers that all meat and poultry products are safe to eat when properly prepared and cooked as this kills all foodborne pathogens. More information about safe food handling is at www.befoodsafe.gov.
Q. What steps can I take to make sure that I prepare my food properly?
A. USDA reminds consumers to practice safe food handling and preparation techniques for all meat and poultry. Eating properly handled and cooked meat and poultry products are safe. Information about safe food preparation and cooking is available at www.befoodsafe.gov.
Q. What is this flu that people are talking about in the news?
A. It is a new strain of flu that consists of a mixture of genetic material from swine, avian and human influenza viruses.
Q. Is USDA testing and monitoring to make sure swine are not infected with the virus and if so, how?
A. A network of Federal veterinarians, state animal health officials and private practitioners are regularly involved with monitoring U.S. swine for signs of significant disease.
To date, there have been no reports that the influenza virus currently causing illness in humans is circulating anywhere in the U.S. swine herd.
As a proactive measure, USDA is reaching out to all state animal health officials to affirm they have no signs of this virus type in their state.
USDA has put U.S. pork producers on a high alert for safety.
As part of a comprehensive safeguarding system, USDA's laboratories routinely provide diagnostic and research services in support of ongoing operational programs.
Q. How will the public be notified if the government finds H1N1 flu in a U.S. herd?
A. Delivering factual, timely information is a priority for USDA. Should there be a detection of influenza in the U.S. swine herd, those results would be shared with the public in a timely fashion.
As with all potential animal health disease situations, USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories stand ready to provide support of disease control and eradication programs, reagents for diagnostic testing, training and laboratory certification.
Q. Can you get H1N1 flu from being around or touching swine?
A. The CDC says that the spread of H1N1 flu can occur in two ways:
Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with H1N1 flu virus.
Through contact with a person with H1N1 flu. Human-to-human spread of the H1N1 flu is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Q. How do we ensure that we take the appropriate measures to protect our swine?
A. We encourage commercial pork producers to intensify the bio-security practices they've long had in place. They should not loan equipment or vehicles to or borrow them from other farms. Swine from outside sources, such as transitional herds should not be brought back to the farm. Transitional herd is the term we use to define those herds that have some likelihood of contact with feral swine.
They should permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm. Swine workers should disinfect their shoes, clothes and hands. They should thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles entering and leaving the farm and avoid visiting other livestock farms without proper cleaning and disinfection.
Also, they should report sick animals immediately. The industry understands the importance of preventing spread of the virus as quickly as possible to protect the industry.
Q. Is there a vaccine for humans for this new strain?
A.The CDC should answer any questions about a vaccine. According to the CDC, there is no vaccine to protect humans from this new variant H1N1 flu. Go to www.cdc.gov for more information.
Q. Is my potbelly pig in danger? Can I get it from my pet?
A. There is no evidence at this time that the virus is in U.S. swine.
Swine owners should learn the warning signs of swine influenza. Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed. If your pig is showing any of these signs, call your veterinarian.
Buy your animals from reputable sources and ensure that you have documentation of your new pet's origin. Be sure that you get your new animals checked by a veterinarian.
Keep your pigs and areas around them clean. If you have been around other animals, make sure that you clean your shoes, clothing, and other items. And don't forget to wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling your pet.
Last Modified: 05/07/2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Total Wellness’s Direct Supplier of Flu Vaccine, Sanofi, Approved by FDA for New Flu Vaccine Manufacturing Facility
Total Wellness's direct supplier of flu vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur, was announced today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it has approved a new manufacturing facility used to produce influenza virus vaccines. The facility is approved for seasonal influenza vaccine production and could be used for the production of vaccine against the new 2009 H1N1 influenza strain.
The facility, located in the United States, is owned and operated by sanofi pasteur, which manufactures Fluzone Influenza Virus Vaccine. This new facility will greatly increase sanofi pasteur’s production capability.
As part of its overall pandemic influenza preparedness efforts, the FDA meets with vaccine manufacturers to guide the efficient establishment of influenza vaccine facilities that comply with agency requirements. The agency promptly reviews applications and manufacturing supplements that could increase both the number of manufacturers and the overall supply of vaccine.
To read full article on CDC website please visit:
FDA Approves New Influenza Vaccine Production Facility
The facility, located in the United States, is owned and operated by sanofi pasteur, which manufactures Fluzone Influenza Virus Vaccine. This new facility will greatly increase sanofi pasteur’s production capability.
As part of its overall pandemic influenza preparedness efforts, the FDA meets with vaccine manufacturers to guide the efficient establishment of influenza vaccine facilities that comply with agency requirements. The agency promptly reviews applications and manufacturing supplements that could increase both the number of manufacturers and the overall supply of vaccine.
To read full article on CDC website please visit:
FDA Approves New Influenza Vaccine Production Facility
What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms
May 5, 2009 6:49 PM ET CDC Website
Background
The novel H1N1 flu virus is causing illness in infected persons in the United States and countries around the world. CDC expects that illnesses may continue for some time. As a result, you or people around you may become ill. If so, you need to recognize the symptoms and know what to do.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this new H1N1 virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time but it’s possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. People at higher risk of serious complications from seasonal flu include people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV).
Avoid Contact With Others
If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. You should stay home and avoid contact with other persons, except to seek medical care. If you leave the house to seek medical care, wear a mask or cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. In general you should avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness. At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
Treatment is Available for Those Who Are Seriously III
It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed. Be aware that if the flu becomes wide spread, there will be little need to continue testing people, so your health care provider may decide not to test for the flu virus.
Antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill with influenza. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including H1N1 flu virus. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional.
There are two influenza antiviral medications that are recommended for use against H1N1 flu. The drugs that are used for treating H1N1 flu are called oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu ®) and zanamivir (Relenza ®). As the H1N1 flu spreads, these antiviral drugs may become in short supply. Therefore, the drugs will be given first to those people who have been hospitalized or are at high risk of complications. The drugs work best if given within 2 days of becoming ill, but may be given later if illness is severe or for those at a high risk for complications.
Emergency Warning Signs
Handwashing flyer formatted for printing and distribution to your employees:
CDC: Flyer: Clean Hands Save Lives!
May 5, 2009 6:49 PM ET CDC Website
Background
The novel H1N1 flu virus is causing illness in infected persons in the United States and countries around the world. CDC expects that illnesses may continue for some time. As a result, you or people around you may become ill. If so, you need to recognize the symptoms and know what to do.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this new H1N1 virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time but it’s possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. People at higher risk of serious complications from seasonal flu include people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV).
Avoid Contact With Others
If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. You should stay home and avoid contact with other persons, except to seek medical care. If you leave the house to seek medical care, wear a mask or cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. In general you should avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness. At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
Treatment is Available for Those Who Are Seriously III
It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed. Be aware that if the flu becomes wide spread, there will be little need to continue testing people, so your health care provider may decide not to test for the flu virus.
Antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill with influenza. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including H1N1 flu virus. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional.
There are two influenza antiviral medications that are recommended for use against H1N1 flu. The drugs that are used for treating H1N1 flu are called oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu ®) and zanamivir (Relenza ®). As the H1N1 flu spreads, these antiviral drugs may become in short supply. Therefore, the drugs will be given first to those people who have been hospitalized or are at high risk of complications. The drugs work best if given within 2 days of becoming ill, but may be given later if illness is severe or for those at a high risk for complications.
Emergency Warning Signs
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Community
- Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available. Visit the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Keep away from other household members as much as possible. This is to keep you from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
- Learn more about how to take care of someone who is ill in "Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home"
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures.
- If you don’t have one yet, consider developing a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of extra food, medicines, and other essential supplies. Further information can be found in the "Flu Planning Checklist"
Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Handwashing flyer formatted for printing and distribution to your employees:
CDC: Flyer: Clean Hands Save Lives!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Update On Influenza A H1N1 Situation
Update On Influenza A H1N1 Situation
CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to an expanding outbreak caused by novel H1N1 flu. CDC’s response goals are to:
1. Reduce transmission and illness severity, and
2. Provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.
CDC continues to issue and update interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation. CDC will issue updated interim guidance for clinicians on how to identify and care for people who are sick with novel H1N1 flu illness. This guidance will provide priorities for testing and treatment for novel H1N1 flu infection. The priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during this outbreak will be to treat people with severe flu illness.
CDC has completed deployment of 25 percent of the supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to all states in the continental United States. These supplies and medicines will help states and U.S. territories respond to the outbreak. In addition, the Federal Government and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine against the novel H1N1 flu virus.
Response actions are aggressive, but they may vary across states and communities depending on local circumstances.
Communities, businesses, places of worship, schools and individuals can all take action to slow the spread of this outbreak. People who are sick are urged to stay home from work or school and to avoid contact with others, except to seek medical care. This action can avoid spreading illness further.
U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
As of 11:00 AM ET on May 4, 2009, CDC has confirmed 279 human cases and 1 death in 36 states:
Alabama: 4
Arizona: 17
California: 30
Colorado: 7
Connecticut: 2
Delaware: 20
Florida: 5
Idaho: 1
Illinois: 8
Indiana: 3
Iowa: 1
Kansas: 2
Kentucky: 1 (resident of Kentucky but currently hospitalized in Georgia)
Louisiana: 7
Maryland: 4
Massachusetts: 6
Michigan: 2
Minnesota: 1
Missouri: 1
Nebraska: 1
Nevada: 1
New Hampshire: 1
New Jersey: 7
New Mexico: 1
New York: 73
North Carolina: 1
Ohio: 3
Oregon: 3
Pennsylvania: 1
Rhode Island: 1
South Carolina: 15
Tennessee: 1
Texas: 41 (and 1 death)
Utah: 1
Virginia: 3
Wisconsin: 3
For more information, see the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
International Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
For information about the global situation, see the World Health Organization website.
CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to an expanding outbreak caused by novel H1N1 flu. CDC’s response goals are to:
1. Reduce transmission and illness severity, and
2. Provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.
CDC continues to issue and update interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation. CDC will issue updated interim guidance for clinicians on how to identify and care for people who are sick with novel H1N1 flu illness. This guidance will provide priorities for testing and treatment for novel H1N1 flu infection. The priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during this outbreak will be to treat people with severe flu illness.
CDC has completed deployment of 25 percent of the supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to all states in the continental United States. These supplies and medicines will help states and U.S. territories respond to the outbreak. In addition, the Federal Government and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine against the novel H1N1 flu virus.
Response actions are aggressive, but they may vary across states and communities depending on local circumstances.
Communities, businesses, places of worship, schools and individuals can all take action to slow the spread of this outbreak. People who are sick are urged to stay home from work or school and to avoid contact with others, except to seek medical care. This action can avoid spreading illness further.
U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
As of 11:00 AM ET on May 4, 2009, CDC has confirmed 279 human cases and 1 death in 36 states:
Alabama: 4
Arizona: 17
California: 30
Colorado: 7
Connecticut: 2
Delaware: 20
Florida: 5
Idaho: 1
Illinois: 8
Indiana: 3
Iowa: 1
Kansas: 2
Kentucky: 1 (resident of Kentucky but currently hospitalized in Georgia)
Louisiana: 7
Maryland: 4
Massachusetts: 6
Michigan: 2
Minnesota: 1
Missouri: 1
Nebraska: 1
Nevada: 1
New Hampshire: 1
New Jersey: 7
New Mexico: 1
New York: 73
North Carolina: 1
Ohio: 3
Oregon: 3
Pennsylvania: 1
Rhode Island: 1
South Carolina: 15
Tennessee: 1
Texas: 41 (and 1 death)
Utah: 1
Virginia: 3
Wisconsin: 3
For more information, see the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
International Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
For information about the global situation, see the World Health Organization website.
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
- Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
For more information on what you can to stay safe and healthy, check the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms
CDC: H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Public Service Announcements (PSAs) (English and Spanish) Swine Flu Preparedness, Community Planning for Swine Flu, and Hygiene Habits to Help Fight Swine Flu.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Helpful Influenza A H1N1 Information
Helpful Influenza A H1N1 Information from CDC Website:
Access to current information on the outbreak of human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection can be found on these Web sites:
U.S. InformationInternational InformationFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tests
CDC Guidance on Specimen Collection, Processing, and Testing for Patients with Suspected Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection (April 30)
FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans (April 27)
Vaccines
WHO: Vaccines for the new influenza A (H1N1) (May 2)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research Activities on 2009 H1N1 Influenza [third item]
Medications
FDA Fact Sheets on Relenza® and Tamiflu® for Patients and Health Providers (April 30)
CDC: Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of Medical Products and Devices for Swine Flu (April 30)
CDC Updates Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Flu (April 29)
FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans (April 27)
Masks
CDC Provides New Recommendations on Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Communities with Swine Flu (April 27)
Access to current information on the outbreak of human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection can be found on these Web sites:
U.S. InformationInternational InformationFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tests
CDC Guidance on Specimen Collection, Processing, and Testing for Patients with Suspected Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection (April 30)
FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans (April 27)
Vaccines
WHO: Vaccines for the new influenza A (H1N1) (May 2)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research Activities on 2009 H1N1 Influenza [third item]
Medications
FDA Fact Sheets on Relenza® and Tamiflu® for Patients and Health Providers (April 30)
CDC: Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of Medical Products and Devices for Swine Flu (April 30)
CDC Updates Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Flu (April 29)
FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans (April 27)
Masks
CDC Provides New Recommendations on Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Communities with Swine Flu (April 27)
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tamiflu Fact Sheet
The following fact sheets have very useful information on Tamiful. Please read the information before taking the medication.
Tamiflu Fact Sheet for Patients and Parents
Tamiflu Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
Vaccination Services of America
Total Wellness
www.vsamerica.com : www.totalwellnesshealth.com
888.434.4358
Tamiflu Fact Sheet for Patients and Parents
Tamiflu Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
Vaccination Services of America
Total Wellness
www.vsamerica.com : www.totalwellnesshealth.com
888.434.4358
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