E-mail From CDC: Swine Influenza

Update on Situation
The ongoing outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) continues to expand in the United States and internationally. CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks. CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to an expanding outbreak caused by novel H1N1 flu.

CDC’s response goals are to:
Reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.

CDC is issuing updated interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation. This includes updated interim guidance for clinicians on how to identify and care for people who are sick with novel H1N1 flu now that more widespread illness has been detected in the United States. CDC recommends that testing and antiviral treatment be prioritized for those with severe respiratory illness and those at highest risk of complications from seasonal influenza. This includes children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and weakened immune systems, and people 65 years and older. In addition, CDC has provided information for the public on what to do if they develop flu-like symptoms.

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 5, 2009, CDC has confirmed 403 human cases and 1 death in 38 states:
Alabama: 4
Arizona: 17
California: 49
Colorado: 6
Connecticut: 2
Delaware: 20
Florida: 5
Georgia: 1
Idaho: 1
Illinois: 82
Indiana: 3
Iowa: 1
Kansas: 2
Kentucky: 1 (resident of Kentucky but currently hospitalized in Georgia)
Louisiana: 7
Maine: 1
Maryland: 4
Massachusetts: 6
Michigan: 2
Minnesota: 1
Missouri: 1
Nebraska: 1
Nevada: 1
New Hampshire: 1
New Jersey: 6
New Mexico: 1
New York: 90
North Carolina: 1
Ohio:3
Oregon: 15
Pennsylvania: 1
Rhode Island: 1
South Carolina: 16
Tennessee: 2
Texas: 41 (and 1 death)
Utah: 1
Virginia: 3
Wisconsin: 3

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.
Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

For more information on what you can do to stay safe and healthy, check the CDC H1N1 Flu website.

Update to Interim CDC Guidance for K-12 Schools and Childcare Facilities
At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in schools is to focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying home when ill, and good cough and hand hygiene etiquette. Decisions about school closure should be at the discretion of local authorities based on local considerations, including public concern and the impact of school absenteeism and staffing shortages. Learn more.