|
FRIDAY,
JUNE 12, 2009
Influenza A (H1N1) Weekly
Update
From the Director of Health
and Wellness: Gloria Algeo, R.N.
This Influenza A (H1N1) Weekly
Update brings the change of the level of pandemic which has
now been raised to a level six. This does not indicate the
virus is any more severe as the virus continues to be rated
as a mild influenza.
Although there have been no reported cases of influenza
A(H1N1) on campus or in Kerrville, we are taking
proactive steps to help protect students, faculty and staff,
as well as members of our extended community by distributing
accurate and timely information.
A Pandemic Is Declared
On June 11, 2009, the
World Health Organization (WHO) raised the
worldwide pandemic alert level to
Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the
novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation
indicates that a global pandemic is underway.
More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human
infection with novel H1N1 flu. This number has been
increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases
reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks
without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic
alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing
community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.
WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6
is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity
of illness caused by the virus. It’s uncertain at this time
how serious or severe this novel H1N1 pandemic will be in
terms of how many people infected will develop serious
complications or die from novel H1N1 infection. Experience
with this virus so far is limited and influenza is
unpredictable. However, because novel H1N1 is a new virus,
many people may have little or no immunity against it, and
illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In
addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against
novel H1N1 virus.
In the United States, most people who have become ill with
the newly declared pandemic virus have recovered without
requiring medical treatment, however, CDC anticipates that
there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more
deaths associated with this pandemic in the coming days and
weeks. In addition, this virus could cause significant
illness with associated hospitalizations and deaths in the
fall and winter during the U.S. influenza season.
As of May 05 2009, U.S. health officials are no longer
recommending that schools close if students come down with
swine flu. It is still important to stay home from work or
school for seven days after your symptoms have begin or
until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is
longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading
the virus further.
As of June 12 2009. there are 2,050 reported cases of H1N1
and six deaths reported in Texas.
U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
States/Territories - 52
Confirmed/Portable Cases - 13,217
Deaths - 27
(includes district of Columbia and Puerto Rico)
Although influenza A(H1N1) appears to spread easily from
person to person, the majority of cases in the United States
are reported to be mild. You are encouraged to proceed as
you would during influenza season using precautionary
measures to protect yourself and others.
As a precautionary measure, you are requested to follow the
recommendations below:
Influenza A(H1N1) is a respiratory disease of combined
origin from, humans, birds and pigs caused by type A
influenza virus that is causing illness in humans.
.....
Symptoms of influenza A(H1N1) typically
include fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and
runny nose. Additional symptoms may include diarrhea,
vomiting, headache, chills, fatigue, pneumonia and
respiratory failure. Persons with swine flu are contagious
for up to seven days after the onset of illness and possibly
longer if they are still symptomatic, according to health
officials.
If you have an influenza like illness, you are
recommended by the CDC:
- Stay home from work or
school for seven days after your symptoms have begin or
until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is
longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading
the virus further.
Tips for avoiding the influenza A(H1N1):
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw
the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Frequent hand washing: Wash your hands often with soap and water,
especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands
cleaners are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people (at least six feet).
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- If you have been in contact with a person or persons with flu like
symptoms or who has tested positive for Type A influenza pay
attention to your health for seven days
People cannot be infected by eating pork.
Important Resources and Information on influenza A(H1N1):
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
http://pandemicflu.gov
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu/default.shtm
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/updates.shtm
http://www.hhs.gov
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.htm
http://www.who.int/csr/don/H1N1map200905017.jpg
WHO: Influenza A(H1N1) - update 48
12 June 2009 -- As of 07:00 GMT, 12 June 2009, 74 countries
have officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1)
infection, including 145 deaths.
Current WHO phase of pandemic alert is a 6
CURRENT PHASE OF ALERT IN THE WHO GLOBAL INFLUENZA
PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Pandemic Preparedness
In the 2009 revision of the phase descriptions, WHO has
retained the use of a six-phased approach for easy
incorporation of new recommendations and approaches into
existing national preparedness and response plans. The
grouping and description of pandemic phases have been
revised to make them easier to understand, more precise, and
based upon observable phenomena. Phases 1–3 correlate with
preparedness, including capacity development and response
planning activities, while Phases 4–6 clearly signal the
need for response and mitigation efforts. Furthermore,
periods after the first pandemic wave are elaborated to
facilitate post pandemic recovery activities.
In nature, influenza viruses circulate continuously among
animals, especially birds. Even though such viruses might
theoretically develop into pandemic viruses, in Phase 1 no
viruses circulating among animals have been reported to
cause infections in humans.
In Phase 2 an animal influenza virus circulating among
domesticated or wild animals is known to have caused
infection in humans, and is therefore considered a potential
pandemic threat.
In Phase 3, an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant
virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease
in people, but has not resulted in human-to-human
transmission sufficient to sustain community-level
outbreaks. Limited human-to-human transmission may occur
under some circumstances, for example, when there is close
contact between an infected person and an unprotected
caregiver. However, limited transmission under such
restricted circumstances does not indicate that the virus
has gained the level of transmissibility among humans
necessary to cause a pandemic.
Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human
transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza
reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.”
The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a
community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for
a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such
an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the
situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the
affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic
containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a
significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not
necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.
Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the
virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While
most countries will not be affected at this stage, the
declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is
imminent and that the time to finalize the organization,
communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation
measures is short.
Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterized by community
level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different
WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5.
Designation of this phase will indicate that a global
pandemic is under way.
During the post-peak period, pandemic disease levels in most
countries with adequate surveillance will have dropped below
peak observed levels. The post-peak period signifies that
pandemic activity appears to be decreasing; however, it is
uncertain if additional waves will occur and countries will
need to be prepared for a second wave.
Previous pandemics have been characterized by waves of
activity spread over months. Once the level of disease
activity drops, a critical communications task will be to
balance this information with the possibility of another
wave. Pandemic waves can be separated by months and an
immediate “at-ease” signal may be premature.
In the post-pandemic period, influenza disease activity will
have returned to levels normally seen for seasonal
influenza. It is expected that the pandemic virus will
behave as a seasonal influenza A virus. At this stage, it is
important to maintain surveillance and update pandemic
preparedness and response plans accordingly. An intensive
phase of recovery and evaluation may be required.
Please follow the link
below to the Schreiner University Health
& Wellness Web site for
additional information:
http://students.schreiner.edu/health. |
