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Pandemic Influenza: A Community Perspective

Pandemic Influenza: A Community Perspective. September 10, 2009. Objectives. Influenza: What it is…What it is not Pandemic Influenza Current Status Characteristics and Impact Public Health Measures. Influenza and Pandemics. Influenza A. Only influenza virus associated with pandemics

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Pandemic Influenza: A Community Perspective

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  1. Pandemic Influenza: A Community Perspective September 10, 2009

  2. Objectives • Influenza: What it is…What it is not • Pandemic Influenza • Current Status • Characteristics and Impact • Public Health Measures

  3. Influenza and Pandemics

  4. Influenza A • Only influenza virus associated with pandemics • More severe illness • More frequent changes • Subtype – based on H and N labels (i.e. H5N1 – “bird flu”, novel H1N1 – “swine flu”)

  5. Influenza A Antigenic Drift • Regularly occurring changes in the virus • Reason for annual influenza vaccination Antigenic Shift • Periodic • Drastic changes that lead to a new virus to which humans have not been exposed

  6. Criteria for a Pandemic  • Population has not been exposed • Virus causes significant illness and death in humans • Virus easily passed from person to person • Virus maintains ability to cause significant illness/death when able to pass from person to person   

  7. Current Situation For updates on novel H1N1 influenza activity, see: Kent County Health Department www.stickittotheflu.com Michigan Department of Community Health www.michigan.gov/h1n1flu Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

  8. The Other Issue – Avian Influenza For HPAI H5N1 current situation, see: World Health Organization (WHO) www.who.int/avianflu

  9. Characteristics and Impact • Widespread impact • Unlike a physical disaster, requires limitation of human contact • Uncertainty surrounding timing, duration and magnitude • As seen with novel H1N1, there may be some advanced warning, but very short timeframe

  10. Characteristics and Impact • Primary impact will be on staffing levels • Plan for 40% absenteeism for periods of up to two weeks • Absences due to illness, need to take care of family members, fear, etc. • Demand for services may be increased or decreased • Be diligent about hygiene before and after public interaction • Availability of supplies, utilities, fuel, and communications may be disrupted

  11. Public Health Measures Categories of Interventions • Pharmaceutical • Non-Pharmaceutical

  12. Pharmaceutical Interventions • Vaccines • Antivirals

  13. Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions • Individual Measures (Hygienic) • Hand washing • Cough etiquette • Washing inanimate surfaces • Masks and respirators • Employee education • Fight the Flu Campaign, Get Ready! Kent County

  14. Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions • Community-based Measures • Self-isolation • Self-quarantine • Social distancing measures • Workplace policies • Gatherings restrictions • Travel restrictions • School closings

  15. Thank you! Contact Information: Dayna Porter Kent County Health Department Emergency Preparedness Coordinator 616-632-7168 dayna.porter@kentcountymi.gov Pat Draper Kent County Health Department Emergency Preparedness Specialist 616-632-7292 patricia.draper@kentcountymi.gov

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