Montgomery County Health Department

1

• Montgomery County Health Department
• September 2009

2
An interesting mix
3
A New Virus

• The pandemic H1N1 influenza virus is a new
  virus of swine origin and contains a unique
  combination of gene segments that has not been
  identified in the past.
• Because this is a new virus, most people will
  have little or no immunity against it, and
  illness may be more severe and widespread as a
  result.

4
Initial Reports

• Cases of novel H1N1 were first identified in
  mid-April 2009 in California and soon thereafter
  in Texas and Mexico.
• Since that time, the virus has spread across the
  globe.
• By June 11, 2009 World Health Organization
  (WHO) raised the pandemic level to Level 6, which
  indicated a global pandemic was underway.

5
What do we know about H1N1?

• Spreads mainly through the coughs and sneezes of
  people who are sick with the virus.

• Most people recover without requiring medical
  treatment and experience typical influenza
  symptoms.

6
Symptoms of H1N1 Flu
7
Symptoms

• Similar to seasonal flu
• Individuals may be infectious as early as the day
  before the onset of symptoms
• Most likely to shed virus when febrile
• Current recommendations encourage ill individuals
  to stay home from school/work until 24 hours
  after fever has resolved without fever-reducing
  medication
• It will run its course in most people within 4-7
  days

8
Emergency Warning Signs

• Get medical care right away if the ill person
• has difficulty breathing or chest pain
• has purple or blue discoloration of the lips
• is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
• has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when
  standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a
  lack of tears when they cry
• has seizures (for example, uncontrolled
  convulsions)
• is less responsive than normal or becomes confused

9
A New Risk Factor Obesity

• Obesity emerges as new risk factor for severe flu
  according to U.S. researchers
• Date Sat 11 Jul 2009
• Source Reuters AlertNet edited
• lthttp//www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N1053710
  5.htmgt
• Several cases who expired as a result of
  pandemic H1N1 flu were reported as obese or
  morbidly obese by their healthcare providers.

10
Pregnant Women

• Due to changes in the body, pregnant women may be
  more vulnerable to complications.
• By the beginning of August, CDC reported that 15
  of deaths associated with pandemic H1N1 flu were
  identified as pregnant women.
• Pregnant women are 4 times as likely to be
  hospitalized --- although this may be due to
  providers requiring more thorough evaluation of
  their pregnant patients.

11
Treatment

• Susceptible to Tamiflu and Relenza
• Supportive treatment may be needed
• Treat those at high-risk for severe complications
• Patients should always consult with their
  healthcare provider, especially those with
  suppressed immune systems and underlying medical
  conditions if their condition does not improve.

12
Important Reminder

• Inappropriate use of antivirals (Tamiflu,
  Relenza) leads to drug resistance and reduces the
  available supply needed for severely ill
  patients.

13
H1N1 Vaccine

• In production however not available until
  October/November???
• Does NOT replace seasonal flu vaccine
• If available in time, the seasonal vaccine and
  the pandemic H1N1 vaccine may be administered on
  the same day

14
Target Groups for Vaccine

• Will be given to selected groups first
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children under 6
  months of age
• Healthcare and emergency services personnel
• Persons between 6 months of age and 24 years of
  age
• Persons 24 64 years of age due to underlying
  medical conditions that put them more at risk for
  complications

15
(No Transcript)
16
There is no stopping H1N1
17
What can we do to reduce the spread of infection?

• Here are some simple, every day precaution
  measures that we can all practice

18
Prevention Measures Hand washing

• Frequent hand washing and use of sanitizers when
  hand washing facilities are not available

19
Prevention Measures Respiratory Etiquette

• Respiratory etiquette use tissues and discard
  immediately cover your cough/sneeze

20
Prevention Measures Self-Isolation

• Stay home from work or school when ill

21
Prevention MeasuresStay away from others who
are ill

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

22
Prevention MeasuresAvoiding Germs

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs
  spread this way.

23
Other Important Actions

• Follow public health advice regarding school
  closures, avoiding crowds and other social
  distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay
  home for a week or so. Avoid the need to make
  trips out in public while you are sick and
  contagious.

24
Stay Informed Ready Notify

• This Community Alert System delivers important
  emergency alerts, notifications and updates to
  you on all your devices
• Email Accounts (Home, Work or Other)
• Cell phones NOTE text messaging charges could
  occur
• Pagers
• Smartphone/PDAs (BlackBerry, Treo and other
  Handhelds)
• This is your personal connection to real-time
  updates, instructions on where to go, what to do,
  or what not to do, who to contact and other
  important information.

25
Emergency Preparedness

• For more information, please go to
• www.readymontco.montcopa.org

26
Contact Information

• Montgomery County Health Department
• 1430 Dekalb Street
• P.O. Box 311
• Norristown, PA 19404
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Website www.health.montcopa.org
• For more information on reporting or for
  additional guidance, please contact the Division
  of Communicable Disease Control.