The Fort Wayne Allen County Department of Health

Alerts and Advisories

Health Alerts

The following alerts and advisories are meant to inform health care providers and others in the community on a variety of topics related to public health.

3/10/10 Disaster Volunteers
Date: March 10, 2010 Topic: Disaster Volunteers Last Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 11 cases of the P.falciparum malaria infection, acquired in Haiti, have been confirmed among emergency personnel and...

3/1/10 LifeScan Recalls Specific Lots of Consumer and Professional OneTouch® SureStep® Test Strips Due To Inaccurate Readings at High Levels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeScan, Inc. is conducting a voluntary recall in the United States of eight lots of OneTouch SureStep Test Strips, used by people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose levels at...

3/2/10 Rx Hope symposium for disaster volunteers
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, Associated Churches, the Behavioral Health Response Team, the Community Emergency Response Team, the Fort Wayne Medical Society, Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, and Parkview Health have partnered to...

2/24/10 School Vaccines
Date: February 24, 2010 Topic: School vaccines In 2009, the Indiana State Legislature revised the Indiana code to require all 6th through 12th grade public, charter or private school students to receive additional immunizations against the...

2/19/10 County Health Rankings
Health Outcomes Allen County Ranking Mortality 29 Premature death Morbidity 45 Self-reported health status Poor physical health days Poor mental health days Low birth-weight) Overall 33 Health Factors Health Behaviors 53 ...

2/15/10 H1N1 update
H1N1 National Info All subtyped influenza A viruses reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (PI) was below the epidemic threshold. Three influenza-associated pediatric deaths...

1/25/10 H1N1 update
H1N1 National Info CDC estimates that between 39 million and 80 million cases of 2009 H1N1 occurred between April and December 12, 2009. The mid-level in this range is about 55 million people infected with 2009 H1N1. CDC estimates that between about...

12/15/09 H1N1 update
December 15, 2009 H1N1 National Info As part of its quality assurance program, the manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, performs routine, ongoing stability testing of its influenza A (H1N1) vaccine after the vaccine has been shipped to providers...

12/10/09 H1N1 update
December 10, 2009 During week 47 (November 22-28, 2009), influenza activity continued to decrease in the U.S. Over 99% of all subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses. The proportion of deaths...

12/2/09 H1N1 update
December 2, 2009 During week 46 (November 15-21, 2009), influenza activity continued to decrease in the U.S. Over 99% of all subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses. The proportion of deaths attributed to...

11/16/09 H1N1 Update
National Data Synopsis: Its getting better! During week 44 (November 1-7, 2009), influenza activity decreased slightly in the U.S. All subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses. The proportion of...

11/2/09 H1N1 update
National Data Synopsis: During week 42 (October 18-24, 2009), influenza activity increased in the U.S. All subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like...

10/26/09 H1N1 Update
H1N Update October 26, 2009 Local Updates: Protocol for distribution of H1N1 vaccine: Each county is able to determine who they will distribute the H1N1 vaccine to as it arrives. Our process is that we will distribute vaccine within 24 -48 hours of...

10/15/09 Antivirals and Vaccine
Epidemiology We are seeing an increase in transmission among young people and are hearing that many of you are inundated with calls from patients. Antivirals I have been authorized to release a portion of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)...

10/12/09 H1N1 update
H1N Update October 12, 2009 GLOBAL UPDATES: The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus remains the predominant influenza virus in circulation worldwide and has not demonstrated significant mutation. NATIONAL UPDATES: Current Flu Epidemiology National...

10/08/09 H1N1 Status Report
Human Influenza A Virus (H1N1) STATUS REPORT 10/07/0909 Deborah A. McMahan, MD Health Commissioner John Silcox Communications Director GLOBAL UPDATES: The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus remains the predominant influenza virus in circulation...

9/30/09 Healthy Homes for Healthy Kids
Topic: Not H1N1 -- Healthy Homes for Healthy Kids Take the following quiz 1. More is known about the health risk of radon exposure to humans than about most other human carcinogens. (True or false) 2. Enough data exists to be able to say with...

9/28/09 H1N1 Update
GLOBAL UPDATES: The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus remains the predominant influenza virus in circulation worldwide and has not demonstrated significant mutation. NATIONAL UPDATES: Current Flu Epidemiology As of September 19, 2009): Influenza...

9/28/09 Nationwide Public Health Alert Issued Concerning Life-Threatening Risk Posed by Cocaine Laced with Veterinary Anti-Parasite Drug
Topic: Nationwide Public Health Alert Issued Concerning Life-Threatening Risk Posed by Cocaine Laced with Veterinary Anti-Parasite Drug (http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/090921vet5101.aspx) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services...

9/21/09 H1N1 status report
GLOBAL UPDATES: The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus remains the predominant influenza virus in circulation worldwide and has not demonstrated significant mutation. NATIONAL UPDATES: On September 15, 2009 the The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved...

9/11/09 H1N1 Weekly Update
Date: September 11, 2009 While the summer has demonstrated relatively low levels of flu activity, virtually all of the circulating flu virus is the 2009 Influenza A H1N1 virus. In anticipation of a potential surge of flu activity this fall, we will...

9/9/09 Signs and Symptoms of the Flu: A guide for parents
Both influenza (flu) flu and the common cold cause respiratory symptoms, but they are caused by very different viruses. Because the symptoms can appear to be similar, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In...

9/3/09 Testing for H1N1
Topic: Testing for H1N1 Confirmatory Testing: According to the latest CDC H1N1 influenza surveillance, 99% of circulating Influenza A virus is H1N1. Therefore, it is prudent to assume that patients who test positive for Influenza A on the rapid...

8/31/09 H1N1 vaccine
Vaccine Five manufacturers are producing H1N1 vaccine and the vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October. However, the initial supply of these vaccines might not be enough to meet the demand for vaccine. For this reason, CDC's Advisory...

8/25/09 Rabies
This year we have noted a significant increase in the number of bats that we have had tested for rabies that are positive. Last year we had 1 rabid bat and this year as of this date, we have had 5. We also had an opossum bite but results are pending. As...

8/17/09 Pertussis
As of August 7th, 127, cases of pertussis have been reported in Indiana in 2009, compared to 28 cases as of the same week in 2008. Indiana ended 2008 with 271 cases and it is expected that the number will increase in 2009. In addition, there has been...

7/29/09 Pregnant Women and H1N1
Date: July 29, 2009 Topics: H1N1 National Update: Pregnant women infected with the new H1N1 swine flu have a much higher risk of severe illness and death, U.S. government researchers said on Wednesday, confirming a...

7/27/09 H1N1 and vaccine and West Nile virus
Nationally, confirmed cases are 43,771 with 302 deaths. Neurologic complications, including seizures, encephalitis, encephalopathy, Reye syndrome, and other neurologic disorders, have been described previously in association with respiratory tract...

7/23/09 H1N1 and Pertussis
Date: July 23, 2009 Topics: H1N1 and Pertussis H1N1 Over 99% of all subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were novel influenza A (H1N1) viruses. (You should consider that most of what you are seeing that tests positive for Influenza...

7/14/09 Drug Recall and West Nile virus
Propofol Voluntary Recall The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been investigating recent cases of febrile reactions among patients undergoing endoscopy in the United States. This...

7/6/09 H1N1 Update
National and local update: To date, Indiana has had 267 confirmed cases in 16 counties, 7 cases in Allen County. There have been 34 hospitalizations, with some patients requiring ventilatory support, however no reported deaths. Across the United...

Air Quality Action Day forecast for Wednesday, June 24
The ozone level for Allen County for WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 has been forecast to be high enough to warrant a CAUTION Air Quality Health Effects 8-Hour Ozone Average (ppb) Good No Health Notice - No health...

6/22/09 Gardisil, Scabies, H1N1
Gardasil Our department has recently been allowed to order more Gardasil vaccine to provide and the age range has been expanded to include those 19 years to 26 years. If you have patients (or children) who are in need of the vaccine or who are going...

6/2/09- Flu Update
Date: June 2, 2009 State/Local We have been told of our first case of H1N1 in Allen County the case was diagnosed via our sentinel site. No other details will be provided. No other steps in terms of prophylaxis are necessary. CDC...

5/8/09 - Flu Update
Date: May 8, 2009 Global Updates: World Health Organization phase: Worldwide, laboratories now have officially reported 2,500 human cases of the new swine flu in 25 countries with 46 deaths. No change in WHO pandemic phases of 5 o...

5/7/09 - Flu Update
Date: May 7, 2009 Global Updates: World Health Organization phase: Worldwide, laboratories now have officially reported 2099 cases 1490 human cases of the new swine flu in 23 countries. No change in WHO pandemic phases of 5 National...

5/6/09 - Flu Update
Date: May 6, 2009 Global Updates: World Health Organization phase: Worldwide, laboratories now have confirmed 1490 human cases of the new swine flu in 21 countries. No change in WHO pandemic phases of 5 National Updates: National...

5/5/09 - Flu Update
Date: May 5, 2009 Global Updates: World Health Organization phase: Worldwide, laboratories now have confirmed 1490 human cases of the new swine flu. No change in WHO pandemic phases of 5 National Updates: National data (to date)...

5/4/09 - Flu Update
Date: May 4, 2009 Global Updates: World Health Organization phase: Worldwide, laboratories now have confirmed 898 human cases of the new swine flu in 18 countries. No change in WHO pandemic phases of 5 National Updates: National...

5/3/09 - Flu Update
Date: May 3, 2009 Update Global/National: CDC has now confirmed 226 cases of swine flu in the United States, in 30 states. CDC also reports that 30 people hospitalized so far have been mostly older children and young adults. ...

5/1/09 - Flu Update
Date: May 1, 2009 Update Global/National: CDC has issued new guidance for school closure. One new recommendation is that if a school is closed, it should be for a minimum of 14 days. To minimize staffing shortages encourage staff need to...

4/30/09 - Update
Date: April 30, 2009 Updates No cases in Allen County at this time Global: The Who has raised the pandemic level to 5 widespread human infection. From today, WHO will refer to the new influenza virus as influenza A(H1N1). ...

4/30/09 - School Nurses
Date: April 30, 2009 To: School Nurses Thank you for the hard work you are doing. I did want to give you an update regarding this issue. The new name of this virus is Influenza A (H1N1)-North American/Human flu. As I am sure you have...

4/30/09 - Daycare Providers
Date: April 30, 2009 To: Daycare providers I would like to share some information about the current swine flu outbreak. The Influenza A (H1N1)-North American/Human flu (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that...

4/29/09 North American Human Influenza A Update
Date: April 29, 2009 Update National/Global: The CDC confirmed that current swine flu outbreak has claimed its first US victim a 23-month-old child in Texas. The current name is: Influenza A (H1N1)-North American/Human flu instead of...

4/28/09 Swine Flu Update
Date: April 28, 2009 Topic: Swine Flu Below you will find an updated information regarding Swine Flu. Thank you all for your attention to this issue and all of your questions and concerns. We have had the first case of swine flu in...

4/27/09 Swine Flu Update
Date: April 27, 2009 Topic: Swine Flu Below you will find updated information regarding the current outbreak of Swine Flu. Sorry this is so long, updates will be shorter. Please remember that this is in the early stages of this novel virus...

4/24/09 Swine Flu
Date: April 24, 2009 Topic: Swine Flu Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human...

3/16/09 Influenza Update
During week 9 (March 1-7, 2009), influenza activity in the United States remained high, but is at approximately the same level as in the previous week. Indiana is experiencing widespread activity. Circulating strains The results of tests...

3/12/09 Lead Product Alert (Burmese)

3/12/09 Lead Product Alert (English)

2/17/08 Salmonella and Pertussis
Dr. Monroe has asked us to remind physicians of the potential for Salmonella in patients with diarrhea. She would like your assistance in educating patients you see in your practice about the risk of eating recalled products and to report diagnoses of...

2/16/09 Influenza update
Per Shawn Richards, Respiratory Epidemiologist for ISDH Indiana will be reporting widespread influenza activity to the CDC for week 5. This is only an indication of geographic spread and not severity. Indiana Sentinel ILI data is showing that...

1/20/09 Salmonella Update
Everything old is new again! As I am sure you have all been reading, Salmonella has been identified as the causative agent in a national outbreak that has caused illness in 474 people from 43 states and caused 6 known deaths. Of persons for whom data...

1/13/09 Antivirals During Flu Season
Although influenza activity is low in the United States to date, preliminary data from a limited number of states indicate that the prevalence of influenza A (H1N1) virus strains resistant to the antiviral medication oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is high...

12/18/08 New Reportable Diseases
As of December 12th, the Communicable Disease Rule has been amended to include several new diseases. The new reportable diseases include: Powassan EncephalitisDengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic FeverGiardiasisVibriosis (non-choleraHepatitis...