As you know this is an evolving situation and we will
attempt to keep you up to date as information become available. We are limited
in advice being EMS specific. After evaluation of the situation and information
thus far all EMS personnel should heed the following advice:
The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.
CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. Yesterday, CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.
There are
everyday
actions
people can
take to stay
healthy.
Cover
your
nose and
mouth
with a
tissue
when you
cough or
sneeze.
Throw
the
tissue
in the
trash
after
you use
it.
Wash
your
hands
often
with
soap and
water,
especially
after
you
cough or
sneeze.
Alcohol-based
hands
cleaners
are also
effective.
Avoid
touching
your
eyes,
nose or
mouth.
Germs
spread
that
way.
Try
to avoid
close
contact with
sick people.
Influenza
is
thought
to
spread
mainly
person-to-person
through
coughing
or
sneezing
of
infected
people.
If
you get
sick,
CDC
recommends
that you
stay
home
from
work or
school
and
limit
contact
with
others
to keep
from
infecting
them.
Masks and respirators: Until additional, specific
information is available regarding the behavior of this
swine influenza A (H1N1), the guidance in the October 2006
"Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks
and Respirators in Healthcare Settings during an Influenza
Pandemic"
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/healthcare/maskguidancehc.html should
be used. These interim recommendations will be updated as
additional information becomes available
Interim recommendations:
Personnel engaged in aerosol generating activities (e.g.,
collection of clinical specimens, endotracheal intubation,
nebulizer treatment, bronchoscopy, and resuscitation
involving emergency intubation or cardiac pulmonary
resuscitation) for suspected or confirmed swine influenza A
(H1N1) cases should wear a fit-tested disposable N95
respirator.*
Pending clarification of transmission patterns for this
virus, personnel providing direct patient care for suspected
or confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) cases should wear a
fit-tested disposable N95 respirator when entering the
patient room.
*Respirator use should be in the context of a complete
respiratory protection program in accordance with
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
regulations. Information on respiratory protection programs
and fit test procedures can be accessed at
www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory. Staff should be
medically cleared, fit-tested, and trained for respirator
use, including: proper fit-testing and use of respirators,
safe removal and disposal, and medical contraindications to
respirator use.
Human cases of swine
influenza A (H1N1) virus
infection have been identified
in the United States. Human
cases of swine influenza A
(H1N1) virus infection also have
been identified internationally.
The current U.S. case count is
provided below.
An investigation and response
effort surrounding the outbreak
of swine flu is ongoing.
CDC is working very closely
with officials in states where
human cases of swine influenza A
(H1N1) have been identified, as
well as with health officials in
Mexico, Canada and the World
Health Organization. This
includes deploying staff
domestically and internationally
to provide guidance and
technical support.
CDC
activated its Emergency
Operations Center to coordinate
the agency's response to this
emerging health threat and
yesterday the Secretary of the
Department Homeland Security,
Janet Napolitano, declared a
public health emergency in the
United States. This will allow
funds to be released to support
the public health response.
CDC's goals during this public
health emergency are to reduce
transmission and illness
severity, and provide
information to assist health
care providers, public health
officials and the public in
addressing the challenges posed
by this newly identified
influenza virus. To this end,
CDC has issued a number of
interim guidance documents in
the past 24 hours. In addition,
CDC's Division of the Strategic
National Stockpile (SNS) is
releasing one-quarter of its
antiviral drugs, personal
protective equipment, and
respiratory protection devices
to help states respond to the
outbreak. Laboratory testing has
found the swine influenza A
(H1N1) virus susceptible to the
prescription
antiviral drugs oseltamivir
and zanamivir. This is a rapidly
evolving situation and CDC will
provide updated guidance and new
information as it becomes
available.
