Microsoft word - hca swine flu update #2 - 4-28-09.doc

ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH CARE AGENCY
SWINE FLU UPDATE #1
Date: 4-28-2009
Time: 12:00 Hours

Outbreak Status:
A novel strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) was detected last week in Mexico, and has spread in the United
States. As of 4-28-09, the CDC reports that there have been 64 Human cases of this new virus confirmed in
California (10), Kansas (2), New York City (45), Ohio (1), Texas (6), along with hundreds in Mexico and cases in
Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The viruses from the cases are reported to be
related to one another and contain a unique combination of gene segments never seen before.
There is currently no available vaccine; the seasonal flu vaccine has not shown to protect against this strain.
Public Health Response:
The World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) have increased
epidemiological surveillance to identify new cases and learn more about the virus and how it spreads. In
response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level
to Phase 4. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able
to cause “community-level” outbreaks.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared a nationwide public health emergency on April 26,
2009, allowing the CDC to more easily pre-position supplies. The CDC will be releasing 25% of the Strategic
National Stockpile's (SNS) cache of antivirals to the states that have confirmed cases. California will be getting
part of this cache. Orange County has requested its complete allotment of the SNS and is preparing to receive
the antivirals. It is not known at this time how many courses of this treatment will be delivered to Orange County.
The Health Care Agency (HCA) is currently reviewing the Pandemic Influenza Response Plan and putting in
place measures to respond to the incident.
HCA has a Health Referral Line (1-800-564-8448; TDD 1-800-801-7100) that is providing information to the
public on swine flu. The hotline is currently being answered during business hours. The HCA Health Emergency
Operations Center (HEOC) is activated to a level 1 staffing pattern during normal business hours to coordinate
internal HCA operations.
The HEOC is in contact with OCSD-Emergency Management Bureau. HCA will be sending updates to the OA
partners at least daily for the time being.
Travel Restrictions:
The CDC has issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico.
Event Restrictions:
There are no restrictions on events with large groups of people in Orange County, California, or the United
States.
Antivirals:
The virus is susceptible to the antivirals oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) but is resistant to
amantadine and rimantadine.

Mitigating Flu Risk:
Normal influenza precautions are recommended at this time. To mitigate the risk of being infected, or infecting
others, take the following steps:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing 60% or more alcohol are also effective. Minimize close contact with sick people. If you or a member of your family gets sick with influenza, stay home from work or school, limit contact with others unless you need to visit your physician. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm http://ochealthinfo.com/epi/swine/index.htm http://www.healthdisasteroc.org/flu/

Source: https://ci.garden-grove.ca.us/pdf/h1n1-ochca.pdf