H1N1 in Florida Research Project: Application of Epidemiology

Executive Summary of H1N1 surveillance in Florida H1N1 flu is a viral infection associated with the inflammation of the respiratory system H1N1 flu is a viral infection associated with the inflammation of the respiratory system In Florida the H1N1 virus is less severe in elderly than the young In Florida the H1N1 virus is less severe in elderly than the young H1N1 is severe on people suffering from asthma and other respiratory diseases H1N1 is severe on people suffering from asthma and other respiratory diseases H1N1 Controlled through Vaccination, Isolation and high hygiene H1N1 Controlled through Vaccination, Isolation and high hygiene

Historical Development of H1N1 The H1N1 virus was initially referred to as swine flu after its genes were found to resemble the ones for the virus that is usually found in swine The H1N1 virus was initially referred to as swine flu after its genes were found to resemble the ones for the virus that is usually found in swine Being a subtype of type A virus, the H1N1 virus is related to swine influenza and Spanish influenza Being a subtype of type A virus, the H1N1 virus is related to swine influenza and Spanish influenza H1N1 virus differs from the famous Spanish flu for its being less dangerous H1N1 virus differs from the famous Spanish flu for its being less dangerous

The source of H1N1 Flu H1N1 virus was first diagnosed in Mexico in the year 2009, near a USA pig factory H1N1 virus was first diagnosed in Mexico in the year 2009, near a USA pig factory The first diagnosed victim for H1N1 virus was a five year boy called Edgar The first diagnosed victim for H1N1 virus was a five year boy called Edgar The H1N1 virus spread very fast to the entire Northern American region including Florida within a period of less than a month The H1N1 virus spread very fast to the entire Northern American region including Florida within a period of less than a month No precise source of H1N1 has been established up now but researchers postulate its eruption from swine flu virus No precise source of H1N1 has been established up now but researchers postulate its eruption from swine flu virus

Human Behaviors Implicated in H1N1 Etiology The etiology of H1N1 virus in human beings is associated with previously diagnosed respiratory disease The etiology of H1N1 virus in human beings is associated with previously diagnosed respiratory disease The availability of previous infections like Diabetes, heart diseases and asthma in the H1N1 victim constitute to the severity of the H1N1 flu The availability of previous infections like Diabetes, heart diseases and asthma in the H1N1 victim constitute to the severity of the H1N1 flu The age of have been revealed to be one of the main factors determining the contraction of the H1N1 virus The age of have been revealed to be one of the main factors determining the contraction of the H1N1 virus

The Mode of Transmission of H1N1 Virus H1N1 Transmitted mainly through direct contact to an infected person H1N1 Transmitted mainly through direct contact to an infected person More so, H1N1 is highly contagious through the medium of air More so, H1N1 is highly contagious through the medium of air Contacting contaminated objects is also a medium through which H1N1 is transmitted Contacting contaminated objects is also a medium through which H1N1 is transmitted

The period of Exposure of the H1N1 flu The Incubation period of H1N1 is 5 to 7 days after infection The Incubation period of H1N1 is 5 to 7 days after infection In most cases witnessed in Florida, the victims of the H1N1 virus could usually take 3 to 7 days before fully showing the signs of being ill In most cases witnessed in Florida, the victims of the H1N1 virus could usually take 3 to 7 days before fully showing the signs of being ill Generally, re-infection of H1N1 flu has been a common happening in many cases where the virus is not treated immediately Generally, re-infection of H1N1 flu has been a common happening in many cases where the virus is not treated immediately

Characteristics Underlying the Infection of H1N1 flu The spread of the H1N1 was accelerated by the frequent interaction of citizens from these North American countries The spread of the H1N1 was accelerated by the frequent interaction of citizens from these North American countries Considering the initial case of the disease, a five year old boy, his interaction with his schoolmates before showing signs of being ill enhanced the spread of the flu to a great extent Considering the initial case of the disease, a five year old boy, his interaction with his schoolmates before showing signs of being ill enhanced the spread of the flu to a great extent More so, the long incubation period of the disease enhanced its fast spread More so, the long incubation period of the disease enhanced its fast spread

Factors Accelerating the Transmission of H1N1 flu H1N1 virus is most transmitted under temperate climatic conditions, especially in summer-time H1N1 virus is most transmitted under temperate climatic conditions, especially in summer-time Situations where individuals are closed in communities encourage the spread of the virus greatly Situations where individuals are closed in communities encourage the spread of the virus greatly H1N1 virus large outbreaks are more stimulated by warm air, which is scientifically believed to be more mobile than cold air H1N1 virus large outbreaks are more stimulated by warm air, which is scientifically believed to be more mobile than cold air

Causality effects underlying the spread of H1N1 There is sufficient evidence to explain the outbreak of H1N1 in terms of its cause-effect relationships There is sufficient evidence to explain the outbreak of H1N1 in terms of its cause-effect relationships In Florida today, 95% of flu cases reported in hospitals have been found to be caused by the H1N1 virus In Florida today, 95% of flu cases reported in hospitals have been found to be caused by the H1N1 virus Generally, H1N1 flu causality is much embedded on the respiratory system conditions of an individual Generally, H1N1 flu causality is much embedded on the respiratory system conditions of an individual

Characteristics of H1N1 flu Surveillance The early surveillance of H1N1 virus varies in magnitude from one individual to another on the basis of age and pre-liquisite allegation of respiratory infections The early surveillance of H1N1 virus varies in magnitude from one individual to another on the basis of age and pre-liquisite allegation of respiratory infections Seasonal outbreaks of the virus are associated with changes in climatic conditions resulting into the spread of the virus Seasonal outbreaks of the virus are associated with changes in climatic conditions resulting into the spread of the virus Typical influenza is much associated with the rate of Hospitalization; where individuals who are frequently hospitalized are more prone to the H1N1 virus infection Typical influenza is much associated with the rate of Hospitalization; where individuals who are frequently hospitalized are more prone to the H1N1 virus infection

Investigative Health Protocol on H1N1 by CDC The CDC has been ceaselessly involved in carrying out researches on the H1N1 virus to establish its ultimate effects on the basis of its already known viruses of type A The CDC has been ceaselessly involved in carrying out researches on the H1N1 virus to establish its ultimate effects on the basis of its already known viruses of type A Certainly, it has been revealed that, various antiviral treatments have been established in the pursuit of preventing and treating the H1N1 flu Certainly, it has been revealed that, various antiviral treatments have been established in the pursuit of preventing and treating the H1N1 flu The main sources of treatments for the flu have been suggested to be in hospitals and recommended health centers The main sources of treatments for the flu have been suggested to be in hospitals and recommended health centers

Statistical Comparison between H1N1 outbreak in Mexico and Florida Age in years FloridaMexico TotalHospitalizedTotalHospitalized < > Total

Epidemic curve of the H1N1 cases found in Florida

Prevention and Control Measures for H1N1 flu Primarily H1N1 controlled through vaccination with the recommended H1N1 vaccines Primarily H1N1 controlled through vaccination with the recommended H1N1 vaccines Secondary control measures include isolating infected people and using sterilized gloves while handling H1N1 patients Secondary control measures include isolating infected people and using sterilized gloves while handling H1N1 patients In addition Hygienic conditions and treatment of water should be considered In addition Hygienic conditions and treatment of water should be considered

Legislative measures to control H1N1 flu in Florida Compulsory vaccination for all children below fifteen years was one of the measure was found to be an effective measure against H1N1 flu Compulsory vaccination for all children below fifteen years was one of the measure was found to be an effective measure against H1N1 flu More so, all health attendants were required to separate victims of H1N1 from the other victims More so, all health attendants were required to separate victims of H1N1 from the other victims

Implications of H1N1 Outbreak Analysis Two Levels of Analysis: Two Levels of Analysis: Organizational Restructuring Organizational Restructuring health care organizations are advised to take into considerations various factors in their dealing with the disease based on proper fund allocation health care organizations are advised to take into considerations various factors in their dealing with the disease based on proper fund allocation Introduction of new Scientific Research Centers Introduction of new Scientific Research Centers Resource utilizations should also be reviewed in the pursuit of enhancing the prevention and control of the deadly virus Resource utilizations should also be reviewed in the pursuit of enhancing the prevention and control of the deadly virus

Epidemiological Designs used in the Surveillance of H1N1 The main research designs used in this surveillance are quantitative and qualitative research designs The main research designs used in this surveillance are quantitative and qualitative research designs Qualitative research methods were first used in the initial stages of the study, and then later-on quantitative methods followed. By so doing, a highly credible information was acquired. Qualitative research methods were first used in the initial stages of the study, and then later-on quantitative methods followed. By so doing, a highly credible information was acquired.

Future Directions for Research on H1N1 flu it would be more advisable to use more detailed study methods like descriptive researches and naturalistic observation. it would be more advisable to use more detailed study methods like descriptive researches and naturalistic observation. Through the use of deceptive researches and naturalistic observation more data would be made available and as a result, more reliable and precise recommendations would be enhanced. Through the use of deceptive researches and naturalistic observation more data would be made available and as a result, more reliable and precise recommendations would be enhanced.

Reference list Center for Disease Control CDC (2009). Outbreak of Swine- Center for Disease Control CDC (2009). Outbreak of Swine- Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in Florida. Retrieved on Nov 4, 2010 from a5.htm a5.htm a5.htm Espanol, K. (2010). H1N1 flu Outbreak in Florida. Retrieved on Espanol, K. (2010). H1N1 flu Outbreak in Florida. Retrieved on Nov 4, 2010 from ttp:// equently_asked_questions.html Nov 4, 2010 from ttp:// equently_asked_questions.html ttp:// equently_asked_questions.html ttp:// equently_asked_questions.html Nadia, N. (2009). April 2009: an Outbreak of Swine-Origin Nadia, N. (2009). April 2009: an Outbreak of Swine-Origin Influenza A(H1N1) Virus with Evidence for Human to human Transmission. Retrieved on Nov 4, 2010 from flu/epidemiology/epidemiology-70.pdf flu/epidemiology/epidemiology-70.pdf flu/epidemiology/epidemiology-70.pdf