H1N1 Influenza

1
H1N1 Influenza

• Liz Ritchie, M.S.
• Risk Communication Analyst
• Office of Public Health Preparedness

2
A couple housekeeping things

• Welcome!
• My presentation 20 minutes.
• Your questions 10 minutes.
• A little about me.
• This might be our first meeting, but shouldnt be
  the last.

3
What I will cover

• Some history.
• Some very basic biology.
• A little terminology.
• Reflections on recent experience.
• What now?

4
Some History

• Last Four Pandemics
• 1918 Influenza A (H1N1), severe, killed 20
  million
• 1957 Influenza A (H2N2), moderate, killed
  70,000
• 1968 Influenza A (H3N2), moderate, killed
  34,000
• 2009 Influenza A (H1N1), mild, killed ?
• Strong potential for animal infection spreading
  to humans (zoonosis).

5
Some Very Basic Biology

• Virus
• 1/100th size of bacteria
• examples influenza, smallpox, Ebola, HIV, polio
• covered by protein coat
• some have fat envelope
• host cell required for reproduction
• not all cause disease
• high mutation rate
• antibiotics are ineffective
• can treat with antivirals or vaccines (if
  available)

6
A little terminology

• Immunity a protective element, often gained by
  previous exposure.
• Novel something weve never seen before.
• no vaccine available
• may or may not have effective antivirals
• no natural immunity
• Transmissibility how easy something spreads
  from one thing to another.
• Virulence how likely something is to cause
  disease.

7
Recent Experience

• 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic strain
• 99 of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) this strain
• Michigan schools closed 73
• Michigan ILI (October 25-31) 59,629
• Michigan H1N1-related Deaths 17
• 48 U.S. states reporting widespread activity
• Global over 441,661 cases with 5712 deaths lt
  1
• Avian Influenza A (H5N1)
• widely circulating since 2003
• 15 countries
• 442 cases with 262 deaths 59

8
Prevention

• Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza
  infection and its complications.
• Vaccine is slowly being produced about 10
  million doses each week.
• Expect the H1N1 vaccine to be as safe as seasonal
  flu vaccines.
• Children require two shots for full immune
  response.
• Current target groups pregnant women, people
  6-24, anyone who has regular contact with
  children lt 6 months old, emergency and healthcare
  personnel, and anyone with underlying health
  conditions.
• Everyday actions can help prevent transmission.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
• Dont cough/sneeze on people (or in your hands).
• Stay home if youre sick.

9
Treatment

• Antivirals (Tamiflu, Relenza)
• patients who are severely ill (such as those who
  are hospitalized)
• patients who are ill with influenza-like illness
  and have a higher risk for influenza related
  complications
• In vast majority of cases, healthy individuals
  recover from H1N1 influenza.
• lots of fluids
• rest
• antipyretics to reduce fever/discomfort
• cough syrup

10
What Now?

• Get your seasonal and H1N1 vaccines.
• Regularly check the CDCs and Michigans
  influenza websites.
• www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
• www.michigan.gov/flu
• 911 Coordinators should be in contact with their
  respective LHD/hospital emergency preparedness
  coordinator(s), health officer(s), and medical
  director(s).
• Regularly check the local health department
  website(s) for your area.

11
Thank You!

• Liz Ritchie
• Risk Communication Analyst
• Office of Public Health Preparedness
• [phone]
• ritchiee1_at_michigan.gov