1. H1N1 Flu Safety

2. Overview What is H1N1? Signs & Symptoms of the Virus
Prevention Tips & Safety Precautions
H1N1 Updates
Vaccination Updates
State Planning & Strategy

3. What is H1N1?
The H1N1 flu virus is a new strain of virus that was formed when viruses from pigs, birds, and humans combined.
The virus was spread from animal to human contact and then human to human contact.
The virus is spread through respiratory secretions and through droplets when a person sneezes or coughs.
Close contact with an infected person can also cause the spread of the virus.

4. Signs & Symptoms of the Virus
Fever
Chills
Coughing
Sore Throat
Runny Nose
Shortness of Breath
Fatigue
Head/Body Aches
Vomiting/Diarrhea

5. Prevention Tips & Safety Precautions
Cover your cough by sneezing into your arm or tissue and not your hands. Throw the tissue away and avoid using handkerchiefs.
Wash your hands frequently
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Carry hand sanitizer
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Get vaccinated (check availability)
Eat healthy

6. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

7. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

8. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms:
CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
Keep away from others as much as possible. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

9. Antiviral Medications (Tamiflu & Relenza)
May decrease duration and severity of illness
Check availability of antiviral medication as it varies state-by-state
H1N1 has shown some resistance to the antiviral medication

10. H1N1 Updates – United States
475+ deaths reported
7,500+ hospitalized
Estimated 1 million+ cases
Tracking and case counts
Hospitalizations and deaths only
Pediatric flu deaths
100+ since 09/08
33 were H1N1

11. H1N1 Updates – United States
H1N1 likely to co-circulate with seasonal virus
CDC expects surge of illnesses from H1N1 in fall & winter
H1N1 can cause severe disease and/or death
People with underlying health problems associated with a high risk of flu complications
Young people affected disproportionately; few cases among elderly

12. H1N1 Updates - International
H1N1 circulating with seasonal viruses
Overall severity similar to seasonal flu
Anecdotal evidence for severe illness in younger adults
School closures
Many in Southeast Asia and South America
Not a predominant strategy in other areas

13. Vaccination Updates H1N1 vaccine production underway
Production process similar to seasonal vaccine
H1N1 vaccine needed because seasonal flu vaccine already in production
H1N1 vaccine to add new antigen which will be more effective
Plan to produce enough vaccine for everyone
Shipping began mid-September 2009

14. Vaccination Updates
Vaccine preservatives allow manufacturers to package vaccine in multi-dose vials, as opposed to single use syringes
Majority of vaccine will be in multi-dose vials; remainder in single dose syringes or nasal sprayers
Goal is to have enough preservative-free for pregnant women and young children
H1N1 Vaccination is not compatible with Seasonal Flu Vaccination
Separate vaccination needed for Seasonal Flu

15. State Planning & Strategy
Vaccination
Communication
Community Mitigation
Situational Awareness
H1N1 Surveillance

16. Questions? http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html