ENGLEWOOD HEALTH DEPARMENT News Update and Health Guidance on Swine Influenza
SWINE INFLUENZA UPDATE Updated April 28, 2009 3:30pm
Background
As of 11:30am ET, a total of 64 cases of swine influenza infection in humans have been confirmed at this time in 5 U.S. states by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
No increase in the number of states reporting.
No deaths have been confirmed so far.
Five hospitalizations from swine flu have been reported.
Case counts:
NY: 45
CA: 10
TX: 6
KS: 2
OH: 1
Influenza is always serious. Each year in the United States, seasonal influenza results in an estimated 36,000 deaths from flu-related causes.
Because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it and illness may be more severe and widespread, as a result.
Internationally, cases have been confirmed in Canada, Mexico, Scotland and Spain. One case in Spain and two in Scotland had recent travel to Mexico.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the level of influenza alert from phase 3 to phase 4
Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of a new influenza virus to which humans have not previously been widely exposed and which may cause “community-level outbreaks”.
The decision was based primarily on epidemiological data which identified human-to-human transmission and the ability of the virus to cause community-level outbreaks.
As further information becomes available, WHO may decide to revert back to Phase 3 or raise the level of alert to another phase.
In-state testing in the 5 affected states determined the samples were influenza A positive, but the influenza virus subtype of the sample could not be determined through testing available in-state. These were found during current routine surveillance systems.
Whenever an influenza virus subtype cannot be determined, it is forwarded to a reference laboratory or CDC for further testing.
Epidemiological investigations, including tracing contacts of all laboratory confirmed patients is ongoing to determine the extent of human-to-human spread.
The CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s response to this emerging health threat and ensure an immediate and appropriate response to emerging developments.
The goal of the public health response is to reduce transmission and illness severity and provide information to assist health care providers and public health officials and the public in addressing the challenges posed by this new flu virus.
TRAVEL
The CDC issued a travel health warning recommending that travelers postpone all non-essential travel to Mexico until further notice.
The concern is that continued travel by U.S. travelers to Mexico presents a serious risk for further outbreaks of swine flu in the United States and travel to Mexico poses significant risk to those travelers.
If you must travel to Mexico, there are steps you should take to reduce your risk of infection:
Prepare for your trip before you leave by monitoring the international situation; checking with your health care provider about prescription antiviral medications; packing a travel health kit; reviewing your health insurance plan; and finding where you can get health care services while traveling.
Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of germs including washing your hands often with soap and water, covering your coughs and sneezes and following all local health advice. This may include wearing a surgical mask to protect others.
You should get a seasonal flu vaccination. It is not expected to protect against swine flu, but it will protect you against seasonal flu. Flu season runs through May in the northern hemisphere, and is just beginning in tropical and southern hemisphere countries.
After you return from Mexico, play close attention to your health for 10 days. If you become sick with a fever PLUS a cough and sore throat, or if you have trouble breathing during the 10 days after your return, see a doctor.
When you make your appointment tell the doctor about your symptoms, where you traveled, and if you had close contact with a sick person or farm animals. This way the doctor is aware you traveled to an area reporting swine flu.
STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE (SNS)
The CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment and respiratory protective devices to help with the public health response.
New Jersey has 800,000 doses of antiviral medications in its state stockpile. Through the CDC National Stockpile, the state will get another 300,000 courses so we will have a total of 1.1 million doses.
Antivirals are one method in the arsenal of fighting viruses.
Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or inhaler) that are prescribed by a healthcare professional and do not cure the flu but help reduce the symptoms and shorten the number of days a person is sick with the flu.
Antiviral drugs work best when started soon after illness onset (within 2 days), but treatment with antiviral drugs should still be considered after 48 hours of symptom onset, particularly for hospitalized patients or people at high risk for influenza-related complications.
PREVENTION and TREATMENT
There is no vaccine available at this time to protect against swine flu. However the process to produce a vaccine has started.
There are actions that you can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses, like influenza:
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home if you are sick.
Social distancing is a way to “keep our distance” form each other reduce the spread of flu.
Clinicians should continue to consider swine flu infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with respiratory illness who have either been in contact with persons with confirmed swine flu, or who were in one of the U.S. states that have reported swine flu cases or in Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset.
Patients who meet these criteria should be tested for influenza.
CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.
Laboratory testing on swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses that have been detected in humans in the United States and Mexico indicate that they are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. These drugs will not work against the swine flu.
Anyone who is experiencing flu-like symptoms such as, fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, or more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing should call/see their health care provider.
For NEW JERSEY:
New Jersey has reported 5 probable cases of swine flu. We are awaiting laboratory confirmation of these cases; confirmation should be available tomorrow.
Four of the probable cases recently traveled to Mexico and the other visited California
All of the individuals have mild forms of the flu and are recovering at home.
We understand that people may be concerned about this outbreak of swine flu in parts of the U.S.
New Jersey health officials continue to investigate reports of illness, investigate reports of suspicious illness and monitor the situation in other states.
As per guidance from the CDC, New Jersey’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories will continue to test for influenza strains. All influenza strains that cannot be typed will be sent to the CDC for further testing.
Families and individuals should also take this opportunity to review and update their family emergency plans.
