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H1N1 Flu Update (Swine Flu)

H1N1 Flu Update (Swine Flu). Source of Information: PA Dept of Health as of August 21, 2009. Spread. Same as seasonal influenza; coughs and sneezes of people who have the virus. Most people have little or no immunity. Vaccine against this new virus underway.

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H1N1 Flu Update (Swine Flu)

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  1. H1N1 Flu Update(Swine Flu) Source of Information: PA Dept of Health as of August 21, 2009

  2. Spread • Same as seasonal influenza; coughs and sneezes of people who have the virus. • Most people have little or no immunity. • Vaccine against this new virus underway. • Most ill people have recovered without requiring medical treatment

  3. Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus in PA • First laboratory-confirmed case: April 29, 2009 • As of August 11, 2009: 2,018 probable and confirmed cases. • 51 counties - confirmed cases. • 59% of probable and confirmed cases between the ages of 5 to 19 years old. • 51% Female and 49% Male. • 9 confirmed deaths. • 15 school closures. • 21 summer camp outbreaks. • 4 correctional facility outbreaks. • Number (%) of confirmed cases: • hospitalized: 57 (2.8%) • health care workers: 7 (0.4%) • pregnant women: 11 (0.5%)

  4. Influenza Viruses in PA (through Aug. 3) Yellow represents H1NI, Other colors represent seasonal flu. Surge of H1N1 noted in weeks 20 - 27(May - June)

  5. School Guidance – General Recommendations • School is not the place to be when you’re sick. • Support hand washing/hand hygiene. • Support respiratory etiquette. • Routine environment cleaning/disinfection. • High use surfaces. • Frequently touched objects. • Staff/Parental cooperation COMMUNICATE CLEARLY • Letter to be sent to all Division Heads to disseminate to parents staff and stakeholders ASAP • Awaiting draft copy from PA Dept of Health

  6. School Guidance - Monitoring • Be on the lookout for ill students/staff • Ill students or staff members • Send to school nurse for evaluation • Send home if school nurse unavailable • Upon return • Assess eligibility for return/Send back home if still ill • Critical that persons with flu not return early • Current guidance for return to school/work: 24 hours after resolution of fever without fever-reducing medication • Fever duration generally 2 to 4 days • Period of exclusion usually 3 to 5 days • Circumstances where longer duration indicated • High risk setting (Medically fragile individuals) • Poor compliance with shorter duration

  7. School Guidance - Monitoring • Every school should monitor absenteeism on a daily basis and compare to previous trends • If excess absenteeism • Determine if due to illness (School nurse/administrator) • Communicate to Division Director • CCIU will communicate with local and/or state health department immediately • Jointly determine appropriate next steps • Closure of schools is not recommended as an early step and CCIU should determine in partnership with Health Dept

  8. School Guidance – Control Measures • Implement least disruptive measures that will: • Protect health and safety • Allow continuation of educational activities • Tailor school response to circumstances (Example: Outbreak one day prior to a holiday) • Consider • Age group affected • Onset date of ill student • Likelihood student(s) infectious at school (12 to 24 hours prior to onset) • Success of exclusion policy • Absenteeism • Special considerations • Cancellation considered the last option • Extracurricular activities • Sports • Transportation • Field trips/special events • Classes • If necessary, duration of closure 5 to 7 days • No restrictions on well children/employees • Have plans for home learning

  9. School Guidance - Miscellaneous • Personal protective equipment recommended for those working with/examining sick persons (Ex. School nurse) • Surgical masks, not N95 respirators • Refrain from using persons at high risk of complications (Ex. Pregnant) • Use of masks on sick persons when tolerated • Designation of sick room to separate ill persons • Maintain lists of individuals with high risk conditions • Maintain up-to-date contact information for parents/guardians/health care provider • Capacity to take temperatures • Diagnostic testing clinical decision • Will assist, but not determine public health decisions

  10. Vaccine Availability: October/November . Vaccination program will be voluntary.Encourage both seasonal and pandemic vaccine.Pandemic vaccine – two doseSeasonal – one dose

  11. NEXT STEPS/More Information • CCIU Response plan in development • CCIU will provide updates as needed • Related web sites for updates and FAQ • www.health.state.pa.us • www.flu.gov • Stress basic prevention and raise awareness with all staff and students (Hard copy and electronic related info will be disseminated over the next few weeks). • Handwashing • Respiratory etiquette • Environmental controls

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