Health Alerts > 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) includes:
o United States has 403 cases in 38 states
CDC initially recommended consideration of school closure as an option to lessen the risk of infection with this novel influenza virus in order to protect students, staff, parents and other caregivers from a potentially severe disease as well as limit spread into the community. Highlights below, for full information: (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/K12_dismissal.htm)
o New information on disease severity warrants revision of the school closure guidance. At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in schools 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.
o School closure is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function.
o Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner.
o Students, faculty and staff who are still sick 7 days after they become ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
State/Local
No new cases as of now in Allen County, Indiana has 15 confirmed cases.
Although the CDC guidance for testing has recently changed, in Indiana we will continue to test those persons who present with Fever > 100o F and either a sore throat or cough who:
o Are hospitalized
o Or who have traveled within 7 days to a community either within the United States or internationally where there are one or more confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) cases.
o Or present to our sentinel sites for assessment.
o This may change tomorrow.
Please feel free to call with any questions.
Deb McMahan, MD
