Health Alerts > 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.

�       CDC has issued new guidance for patients with chronic cardiovascular disease, heart disease or stroke (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/cardiovascular.htm);

·   Patients with chronic cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) are at increased risk of experiencing an acute exacerbation of disease during influenza epidemics.

·   Patients with CVD risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, obesity, and family history of premature heart disease might be considered for priority care over healthy individuals but not before health care providers, the very young, elderly people, and the ill.

·   Health care providers should be aware that influenza might produce increased numbers of cardiovascular events, leading to increased hospitalizations and use of resources to treat acute coronary events, heart failure, and stroke.

·   Consideration should be given for having adequate supplies of commonly used cardiovascular medications for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events.

 State/Local

�       Indiana has three cases, none in Allen County.  However, we continue to transport samples to ISDH for testing.

Please feel free to call if needed.

Deb McMahan, MD