[renomusicproject] Swine Flu Update
- From: Todd South <tcsouth@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: renomusicproject@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:07:57 -0700 (PDT)
This isn't music related, so I apologize to those you may be offended by
receiving an off-topic message. However, I thought the information might be of
general use to everyone I know, so here ya go.
----- Forwarded Message ----
State of Nevada Office of the Attorney General
5420 Kietzke Lane, Suite 202, Reno , Nevada 89511
Phone: 775-850-4103 Fax: 775-850-1110
-------------
Situation Update
· Today CDC is reporting 40 human cases of swine influenza
A (H1N1) in the United States (an increase in 20 over the number of cases
reported yesterday.)
· Cases have been reported in 5 states (no increase in the
number of states reporting.)
· The states and case counts are: California (7), Kansas
(2), New York City (28), Ohio (1) and Texas (2).
· Internationally, cases have been confirmed in Mexico ,
Canada .
· Based on the rapid spread of the virus thus far, we
believe that more cases will be identified over the next several weeks.
· CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Centers to
coordinate the agency’s response to this emerging health threat.
· CDC’s goals during this public health emergency are to
reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to assist
health care providers, public health officials and the public in addressing the
challenges posed by this newly identified influenza virus.
· To this end, CDC has issued a number of guidance
documents in the past 24 hours. Visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine
for more information or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
· This is a rapidly evolving situation and guidance should
be considered interim and will be updated frequently.
· The Federal Government is taking this situation very
seriously.
· The United States government is working with the World
Health Organization and our other international partners to assure early
detection and warning and to respond as rapidly as possible to this threat in
order to lessen its potential health and socioeconomic impact.
· Yesterday the Secretary of the Department Homeland
Security, Janet Napolitano, declared a public health emergency in the United
States .
· Declaration of a public health emergency allows funds to
be released for the acquisition of medication and supplies.
· In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National
Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal
protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond
to the outbreak.
· Many people believe that there is no treatment for a
viral infection and that it must run its course. That is not true.
· Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines
(pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses,
including swine influenza viruses.
· They are an important weapon in our arsenal against
influenza viruses.
· As part of our pandemic preparedness efforts, the
Government has purchased 50 million treatment courses of antiviral drugs --
oseltamivir and zanamivir – for the Strategic National Stockpile.
· 25 percent of those courses are being released and made
available to all of the states, but particularly prioritizing the states where
we already have confirmed incidents of swine flu.
· In addition, the Department of Defense has procured and
strategically prepositioned 7 million treatment courses of oseltamivir.
· It should also be noted that these drugs are available
commercially as well, since they are routinely used in the treatment of
seasonal influenza.
· Antiviral drugs can be used to treat swine flu or to
prevent infection with swine flu viruses.
· These medications must be prescribed by a health care
professional.
· Influenza antiviral drugs work best when stated soon
after illness onset (within two 2 days), but treatment with antiviral drugs
should still be considered after 48 hours of symptom onset, particularly for
hospitalized patients or people at high risk for influenza-related
complications.
· The swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses that have been
detected in humans in the United States and Mexico are resistant to amantadine
and rimantadine so these drugs will not work against these swine influenza
documents.
· Laboratory testing on these swine influenza A (H1N1)
viruses so far indicate that they are susceptible (sensitive) to oseltamivir
and zanamivir.
Clinicians
· CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for
the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.
· Clinicians should continue to consider swine influenza
infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute febrile
respiratory illness who have either been in contact with persons with confirmed
swine flu, or who were in one of the U.S. states that have reported swine flu
cases or in Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset.
· Patients who meet these criteria should be tested for
influenza. At this point, specimens should be sent through the public health
laboratory systems to conduct testing specific for swine influenza virus.
Guidance of collection and testing of the specimens……
Public
· There is no vaccine available right now to protect
against swine flu, but we have begun the process to get a vaccine developed
should it become necessary.
· But as I said, we do have antiviral medications in our
arsenal against flu.
· In addition, there are everyday actions that can help
prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
· Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially
after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this
way.
o Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you
stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from
infecting them.
· If you are sick, do not go to work or school.
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