Pandemic flu: what you should know
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges to which people have little or no immunity. The disease spreads easily person-to-person, can cause serious illness and can expand globally.
In June, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the pandemic alert level to phase 6, meaning that a global outbreak of the swine flu - influenza A (H1N1) - has begun. The last flu pandemic was in 1968. A WHO spokesman noted that the term pandemic was "a measure of the spread of the virus, not the severity of the virus."
Because this version of the flu virus is a new type not seen until discovered recently, health agencies are taking precautions to limit the spread. The pandemic announcement does underscore the need to prepare for its re-emergence.
Arizona one of 46 state reporting widespread flu activity
As of Oct. 24, 46 states are reporting widespread influenza. This level of widespread activity is unprecedented during seasonal flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also notes that there is regional flu activity in the remaining states.
Through Oct. 16, there are 4,958 laboratory-verified cases of H1N1 flu throughout the United States, and 292 deaths. These totals are according to records the CDC has been compiling since Aug. 30.
In Arizona, there have been almost 2,000 reported cases and 39 deaths associated with H1N1 since the outbreak began last April.
Children and adults are highest risk
Swine flu continues to be most dangerous to children and younger adults and is largely bypassing the elderly, according to the latest information from the CDC
Officials on Oct. 20 released figures for swine-flu hospitalizations and deaths for the seven weeks since the beginning of September. The information comes from 28 states. It showed more than half of all hospitalizations were people 24 and younger; more than a quarter were ages 5 to 18 years.
Swine-flu deaths were concentrated in young and middle-aged adults. A third of all deaths were people ages 25 through 49; another third were 50 to 64. Only 12 percent of deaths occurred in elderly.
What about the vaccine?
There are currently about 180,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine in Arizona. By the end of November, the state should have about 1.5 million doses, according to Dr. Karen Lewis from the Arizona Health Department.
Where can people go to get shots? Not all pediatricians have it right now. Of the 500 in the state only 130 applied to get it. But there's also community health clinics, even pharmacies that may be able to help. Adults can try a pharmacy to get the shots but healthy adults should "wait their turn," according to Lewis.
Health professional have set priorities for the following "at-risk" groups when administering the H1N1 vaccine:
- pregnant women
- people who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and day-care providers)
- health-care and emergency medical services personnel
- young people 6 months through 24 years old
- people 25 years through 64 years old who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza?related complications.
Most with the flu today have a variation of H1N1; symptoms are similar to the regular, seasonal flu, with some additional gastro-intestinal problems. People are still encouraged to get seasonal flu shot, which they can get at the same time as the H1N1 vaccine. However, children under 10 years will have to go back for a second booster.
"Stop the Spread" is a campaign to educate the public about the H1N1 Flu pandemic, how it differs from seasonal flu, and how these two flu viruses can impact you, your family and your community.
For more about treatment and prevention, and SRP's response, see below.
What is the swine flu?
Swine influenza is common among pig populations in the United States, and leads to a high rate of illness, but low mortality rates. Outbreaks in pig populations typically occur in late fall and winter. The infection rate for humans contracting the disease is typically low, and usually is associated through close contact with swine. The current cases (spring 2009) do not follow this pattern.
The United States and Mexico have confirmed the outbreak of a swine influenza A (H1N1) virus not previously detected in humans or pigs. None of the confirmed cases in the United States had direct exposure to pigs indicating the disease is spreading from human-to-human.
What is the avian flu?
Avian influenza, also called "bird flu," is an infection caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally in birds. Wild birds can carry the viruses, but usually do not get sick from them. However, domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks and turkeys, can become infected, often fatally.
One strain of the avian flu, the H5N1 virus, is prevalent in Asia and has spread to parts of Europe and Africa. Avian H5N1 infections recently have killed poultry and other birds in numerous countries.
Flu symptoms
Typical flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
Flu also can cause or exhibit as:
- Eye infections/conjunctivitis
- Acute respiratory distress
- Viral pneumonia
Treatment and prevention
Scientists currently are working to develop vaccines to protect humans against swine flu and avian flu viruses. The current flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the outbreak. So far, research suggests that two antiviral medicines, oseltamavir (Tamiflu�) and zanamavir (Relenza�), are useful treatments for both strains of flu.
To help prevent the spread of flu and other contagious diseases:
- Wash your hands frequently and properly
- Cover your cough
- Clean and disinfect areas and items of high use, such as your keyboard, computer mouse and telephone receiver.
SRP's Comprehensive Health Assessment Maintenance Program (CHAMP), offered each fall, includes optional free flu and pneumonia shots. Employee dependents 18 years and older also may participate in CHAMP if they are currently enrolled in one of SRP's health insurance plans. For more details, visit the CHAMP page on the SRP Intranet at http://insidesrp/hrnet/forms/champenroll_pre.asp, or contact Health Services. CHAMP health screening plus an annual physical are key elements of a winning strategy to maintain and monitor your health.
What is SRP doing?
- In addition to CHAMP, SRP is providing hand sanitizers available through SRP warehouses, stock code 73-1400.
- Employees also can request keyboard wipes - available from Corporate Express, SRP's office supply vendor.
- SRP continues to inform and prepare employees through various print and online communications and safety bulletins.
- SRP has a pandemic influenza plan in place in the event of an outbreak. To learn more, take the free tutorial, including a self-test, that takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Where can I learn more?
The Arizona Department of Health Services and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency offer Web pages with information about the flu and pandemic planning.
Other resources are Maricopa County Public Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and World Health Organization.
If you have questions or concerns about the flu, please contact SRP Health Services, (602) 236-5956. For information about SRP's pandemic response plan, please call Ken Lewis, (602) 236-8194.