MBayFluWatchMonterey Bay's Pandemic Flu Watch...keeping Monterey Bay communities informed about influenza |
  |
MBayFluWatchMonterey Bay's Pandemic Flu Watch...keeping Monterey Bay communities informed about influenza |
|
Choose Regional News: International | National | State & Local
Californian reports that the Monterey County Health Department is inviting children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to participate in a poster contest designed to draw attention to staying healthy during the current flu season. Students may choose one of the following themes: Wash Your Hands, Cover Your Cough, or Stay Home When You Are Sick. Students can use either English or Spanish when creating their poster. Art work may be submitted through December 4 and winning posters will be printed and distributed throughout the county. More information about the contest is available at: http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/health/Publications/pdf/Stay%20HealthyPosterContest.pdf.
Central Coast News reports that on November 7, Monterey County health officials held a free vaccination clinic at Hartnell College in Salinas. This is the first clinic to begin administering the 50,000 influenza A(H1N1) vaccine doses that have arrived at Monterey County. Monterey County Health Department officials distributed the vaccine to high risk populations (pregnant women, individuals aged two through 24 years of age, and individuals under 65 years of age with chronic lung conditions). Before the doors opened at 10 am, nurses determined which people in line belong to these high risk populations. On November 9, Monterey County Health Department announced that it will receive 220,000 additional doses of influenza A(H1N1) vaccine by the end of November or the first week of December. Once these doses are on hand, there is sufficient vaccine to vaccinate approximately 60 percent of Monterey County's population against influenza A(H1N1).
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of November 7, the state has recorded 5,380 hospitalizations, including 297 fatalities, of influenza A(H1N1) cases.
Leslie Griffy, a writer for Californian, reports that Monterey County Sheriff and Health Department issued special guidelines for Halloween that included tips on how to prevent the spread of influenza A(H1N1) virus. Health officials recommended passing out candy directly to trick-or-treaters rather than letting them reach into a bucket of sweets and urged children not to share masks or other costume pieces.
Molly Hennessy-Fiske, a writer for Los Angeles Times, reports that Los Angeles County free influenza A(H1N1) clinics' staff is overwhelmed because they are vaccinating people who do not belong to high risk populations. County's health officials are busy trying to handle the growing lines and therefore have not tracked how many vaccine recipients belong to the federal-designated priority groups. Clinic staff members question those waiting in line, but rely on people's honesty about whether they are eligible to receive the vaccine.
State and federal officials recommend, but cannot mandate, that local governments vaccinate priority groups in the order designated by the CDC: pregnant women, people living with or caring for infants younger than six months, emergency medical services personnel and healthcare workers, children and young adults aged six months to 24 years, and people 25 to 64 years old suffering from heart or lung diseases, asthma, diabetes or weakened immune system. In Los Angeles County an estimated 5.5 million people belong to these categories, but only about 50,000 have so far been vaccinated.
The article quotes Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, the county's director of public health, as saying that "We thought it was important to get to as many people as quickly as possible. We were assuming that the private sector was going to be getting a lot more vaccine a lot faster than they did. How do those people feel when they came a long way and in many cases are part of a family? What do we say -- we'll do your children but we won't do you?" Fielding conceded that county officials failed to conserve vaccine supplies early on as they were unwilling to turn away those who had travelled and waited in line. By October 28, the county's clinics had faced a vaccine shortage, with only enough doses to stay open through November 4 instead of November 8 as the county had planned before. Fielding cautioned that as vaccine supplies dwindle, clinics' staff may vaccinate only those in the two groups considered at greatest risk, which are pregnant women and caregivers for infants younger than six months. Fielding also stated that as clinics run out of vaccines, they will close early and that Los Angeles County may cancel its flu clinics if vaccine shipments are delayed.
Leslie Griffy, a California reporter, writes that in an attempt to reduce the spread of influenza A(H1N1), Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula has decided to prohibit persons younger than 18 years to visit its patients. Hospital officials based this decision on the fact that children are particularly susceptible to influenza A(H1N1). The article also states that influenza A(H1N1) patient may receive up to two adult visitors a day.
Furthermore, KSBW reports that a day after Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula implemented these precautionary measures, Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz and Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital also announced that as a precautionary measure they also will limit the number of visitors. At Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, the new policy will prohibit all visitors younger than 14 years; patients in isolation units may receive up to two adult visitors per stay. Valley Memorial Hospital officials said information materials about the hospital's influenza A(H1N1) policy will be available at the hospital entrance and nurses stations.
Dominican Hospital's visitor policy will prohibit all visitors younger than 16 years. The age limit includes all patient care areas of the hospital and rehabilitation services, which include the birthing center and neonatal intensive care unit. Further, patients may receive up to two adult visitors at a time. The article quotes Nanette Mickiewicz, of Dominican Hospital stating that: "We have a family-centered approach to care at Dominican Hospital and realize that this restriction will impact families already dealing with the stress of having a loved one in the hospital. We also realize it will mean younger siblings will not be able to see the new baby immediately. However, our duty to the community mandates that we do what we believe is best for our patients and for the public's health."
Central Coast News report that Monterey County schools are taking precautionary measures to prevent the spread of influenza A(H1N1), including sending letters containing information about the virus and holding flu clinics. Prunedale Christian Academy teachers, for instance, are encouraging students to wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, and clean their desks with Clorox disinfecting wipes. Students who become sick with influenza A(H1N1) have to remain home until no fever has been detected for 24 hours. According to the Monterey County Health Department, children are at a higher risk of becoming infected with influenza A(H1N1) than other groups. None of the Monterey County schools, however, has so far been closed.
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of October 24, the state has recorded 4,047 hospitalizations, including 249 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases. According to the CDC, to date 1,000 Americans have died and have been 20,000 hospitalized due to influenza A(H1N1). For comparison, approximately 36,000 Americans die and 200,000 are hospitalized annually from seasonal flu.
Leslie Griffy, a writer for Californian, reports that Nob Hill Foods in Salinas may soon run out of seasonal flu vaccine supplies. Other seasonal flu vaccine providers in Salinas, such as Monterey County-run health clinics and Visiting Nurse Association Community Services, have so far not experienced a similar problem. Dr. Hugh Stallworth, Monterey County's health officer, explains the reasons behind occasional seasonal flu vaccine shortages: "One of the reasons we have been given is that some of the manufacturers have been shifting over to making the [influenza A(H1N1) vaccine] to satisfy that demand. We are seeing about the same number of cases throughout the summer and now into the fall. We've not had a letdown yet. There are still people being admitted into the hospitals; there are still people being put on ventilators and in ICU. In a month or so we are going to start see a rise in seasonal flu on top of the existing influenza A(H1N1) cases. It is going to become not so good."
California Department of Insurance reports that Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has announced that California 's six largest insurers have agreed to waive co-pays and deductibles so that their members can receive influenza A(H1N1) vaccine without spending out of pocket money. The article quotes Poizner as saying that "I am pleased that Aetna, Anthem/Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CIGNA, HealthNet, and United HealthCare/Pacificare have agreed to put the health of consumers first by waiving costs for the H1N1 flu vaccine during what we anticipate to be a tremendously difficult flu season. Action taken by these insurers will help us prevent the spread of what is a potential flu epidemic. Now that the insurers are easing the way, I urge their members to take advantage and get immunized. Policyholders should pay special attention to communications from their insurer to understand exactly what they will need to do."
According to CDC, the priority groups for vaccination are pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of ix months and 24 years old, and people from 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for influenza A(H1N1) because of chronic health disorders and compromised immune systems. More information about influenza A(H1N1) vaccine is available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of October 10th, the state has recorded 3,051 hospitalizations, including 219 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
KSBW reports that Dr. Mark Horton, the director of the California Department of Public Health, has encouraged people to receive vaccination against influenza A(H1N1) in the weeks ahead. He stated: "We face an unusual challenge that requires all of us to be prepared in the months ahead. Part of that response is staying informed, learning if you are in a targeted group for vaccination and making plans to get vaccinated as the vaccine continues to arrive in our state." About 400,000 doses of influenza A(H1N1) nasal spray vaccine arrived in California during the week of October 5th. In the coming weeks, the injectable version of the vaccine will also become available.
A limited supply of 4,000 doses of the influenza A(H1N1) Flumist vaccine arrived in Monterey County on October 8th. The Monterey County supply was delivered to 12 drug providers who have registered their requests for the vaccine and will distribute it to children, which is the first of the high priority populations. The county is expecting injectable A(H1N1) vaccine to arrive in the next few weeks, which will be administered to high priority populations comprised of pregnant women and health care workers.
KSBW reports that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued an executive order in support of California's efforts to combat influenza A(H1N1). The article quotes Schwarzenegger saying that: "California stands ready to combat what could be a very severe flu season with the threat of H1N1. The state of California is taking the H1N1 virus very seriously, and I urge every Californian to take it seriously too."
Californian reports on an announcement by Monterey County health officer Dr. Hugh F. Stallworth saying that the first 4,000 doses of A(H1N1) nasal spray vaccine (Flumist) will arrive in Monterey County starting on October 5th. According to Stallworth, "Limited amounts of live intranasal spray vaccine (Flumist) will be sent to approximately a dozen providers who have signed up for the vaccine and who routinely vaccinate young children." The article also quotes the county's immunization coordinator Molly Hubbard as stating that the injectable form of the vaccine will become available in mid- to late-October.
CBS 5 reports that the California Department of Education has released a manual to help schools deal with A(H1N1) influenza virus, as well as future influenza outbreaks. The "Pandemic Influenza Planning Manual" is a state-specific supplement to the guidance provided for schools by the CDC and the U.S. Department of Education. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell is quoted as stating that students, teachers, school staff, and school nurses have 30 to 60 days to review the manual and provide feedback.
The manual includes such information as resources available for preparedness and prevention; recommendations for notification and reporting procedures for students' dismissals; and estimation of fiscal impacts of extended school, district, or statewide student dismissals if ordered by a public health officer due to pandemic influenza.
O'Connell also encourages schools to practice well-known precautionary hygiene habits such as hand washing, sneezing into the arm, covering the nose and mouth, and using hand sanitizer.
KSBW Action News reports that Santa Clara Country decided to declare an emergency after eight people infected with the A(H1N1) influenza virus died. This decision allows the county to mobilize volunteers to help with A(H1N1) flu vaccinations. The report notes that local health officials expect A(H1N1) vaccine to be delivered to the county sometime in October. According to Santa Clara County health department estimates, 155 residents in the county are currently infected with A(H1N1).
Sunita Vijayan, a writer for Californian refers to an article in USA Today that discusses the decision to vaccinate about 11 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. The article quotes Dr. Kevin Ficella, the associate professor of family medicine and preventive medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York, as saying that leaving the immigrants unvaccinated against the A(H1N1) influenza virus would increase the health risk to everyone else and make it much harder to control an epidemic.
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, in 2006 about 2.8 million illegal immigrants resided in California. No specific data is available about Monterey County illegal population, but a recent survey conducted in 40 California counties found that it has the fifth-largest percentage of immigrants. The article also quotes Dr. Hugh F. Stallworth, the health officer for Monterey county, as saying that his biggest priority is to distribute the A(H1N1) vaccine to those with an elevated risk, regardless of the recipients' immigration status. Stallworth said the Monterey County Health Department will spread word of the vaccine's availability through local Spanish and English media and by advising physician groups who serve the immigrant population.
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of September 19th, the state has recorded 2,258 hospitalizations, including 174 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
Lisa M. Krieger, a writer for Oakland Tribune, reports that student health centers in Bay Area colleges are taking extraordinary measures to prevent A(H1N1) from spreading throughout campuses. Some schools, such as Santa Clara University, will offer isolated dormitory rooms, providing food in a special lobby, or even delivering food to students' rooms. At San Jose State University (SJSU), sick students who live nearby will be encouraged to return home and if they cannot, the university is ready to reopen one of its older dormitories to house ill students. SJSJU is also distributing small disposable thermometers to fraternities and sororities. "When you have a lot of young people living so close together, you have the potential for more rapid spread of respiratory viruses," the article quotes Dr. Ira Friedman, director of Stanford University's Vaden Health Center, in explaining the importance of colleges taking special precautions to address the threats posed by A(H1N1) influenza.
Under the doctrine of in loco parentis ("in the place of a parent"), universities and colleges bear some responsibility for students and, of course, they want them to stay healthy. They are therefore urging custodians to focus on the careful cleaning doorknobs, restrooms, and keyboards in computer labs. But other than after prevention, colleges' key strategy is to separate at an early stage the sick from the healthy. Federal officials have said that colleges should consider suspending classes if they experience major outbreaks. They are also urging schools to suspend any rules that might influence ill students to leave their beds — such as penalties for late papers or missed classes.
The article also refers to the American College Health Association's estimate that more than 80 percent of America's colleges and universities have reported students infected with the A(H1N1) virus on their campuses. Even though most A(H1N1) influenza cases are mild, running their course in one week, the virus is known to have claimed the lives of two college students, at Cornell University in New York and Troy University in Alabama.
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of September 19th, the state has recorded 2,258 hospitalizations, including 174 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
The Californian reports that the Monterey County Office of Education on September 18 offered a half-hour of training to county school representatives today on dealing with A(H1N1) flu. The topics included the following:
What do I need to know about H1N1 virus?
How long does the virus live?
What can I do to help keep H1N1 from spreading through my school?
How can I keep my classrooms and schools clean and virus free?
How can I keep from getting H1N1?
What if someone gets sick at school?
How do I know if it is H1N1?
KICBA reports that the Diocese of Monterey County has sent a letter to all 85 churches in Monterey County to limit certain practices at this time in order to prevent the spread of the A(H1N1) influenza virus. For instance, the Bishop has asked not shake hands during greeting ceremonies, recommending nodding or bowing instead to avoid any physical contact. Also, parishioners are asked not to drink from the common cup of wine if they are sick even though wine will still be available during religious events. In addition, during the Eucharist priests are asked not to place the bread on the tongue, but in the hands those receiving the sacrament. Priests are also required to wash their hands before they give the Eucharist as it's part of their ritual and like everyone else, they are asked to cover their coughs or sneezes and stay at home if they are feeling sick.
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of September 15th, the state has recorded 2,012 hospitalizations, including 167 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
California's Governor's Arnold Schwarzenegger's office reports that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged anyone interested in healthy living to join the fight against A(H1N1) influenza virus and challenged Californians to enter the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) Film Fest - "Lights, Camera, Save Lives" - a competition to create a short video highlighting the steps to avoid A(H1N1) and seasonal flu. "This competition allows Californians to use their creative new media skills to develop innovative and effective videos that will remind all of us what steps we can take to slow the spread of both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus," the Governor was quoted as saying.
Both amateur and professional California residents are invited to create a 15, 30, or 60 second video that will motivate people to take steps that will help prevent the spread of A(H1N1) and seasonal flu. The video must promote washing hands, covering one's cough when sneezing, and staying home while being sick or getting vaccinated.
The competition, held in English and Spanish, has a grand prize of a $500 gift card provided by the non-profit California Immunization Coalition and four of the selected winning videos will air on television and be featured on Web sites. For contest details, including rules, resources and video ideas, visit this site, entry deadline to post videos is October, 16, 2009. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently conducted a similar contest. Entries can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/video_response_view_all?v=gteC4AALn08%20
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of 8 September, the state has recorded 1,806 hospitalizations, including 152 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
The Californian reports on an announcement made by the Carmel Unified School District, according to which a Carmel River School student has been diagnosed with an influenza-type infection, which may be due to the A(H1N1) virus. Similarly, Claudia Melendez writes in the Monterey County Herald that a student at Pacific Grove Middle school was diagnosed with an illness that could be caused by the A(H1N1) virus.
Schools in the region, however, still remain open, and students with flu-like symptoms will be sent home. Dr. Hugh Stallworth, the health officer for Monterey County, is quoted as saying "Because the virus is rather mild, there's minimal possibility of kids being hospitalized and being admitted to the (intensive care unit) and even worse. Therefore, we're not moving to close schools early — only if there's significant transmission in the school, then we would move to close the school."
Leslie Griffy a writer for The Californian, reports that Monterey County residents are hospitalized for A(H1N1) flu at a higher rate than Californians on average. In Monterey County for every 100,000 residents, 7.2 people have been hospitalized with A(H1N1) flu. According to California Department of Public Heath data, in California on average 4.39 people are hospitalized for every 100,000 residents.
Monterey County Health Department officials said they were not surprised that the rate of hospitalized people is higher than elsewhere, since young adults and older children are most prone to become infected with A(H1N1). The county's median age is in the 20s. In the past two weeks, 10 people have been hospitalized in Monterey County because of A(H1N1) flu.
KSWB news channel reports that Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) and Monterey airport continue to prepare for the spread of the A(H1N1) virus. Lara Shipley, a nurse at MPC, is quoted as saying "I made an MPC pandemic plan working in conjunction with Monterey city. I am also disseminating information from the Red Cross, and from CDC we have weekly updates." MPC will also host a flu clinic in October that will offer flu shots to students and faculty and it has posted signs urging students and teachers to cover their mouths when they cough, and hand sanitizers are available in every division center and bathroom. In addition, the college allows students to turn in class work online rather than in person if they become sick. At the Monterey Airport travelers are being alerted about A(H1N1) risks before they go through security.
California's Governor's Arnold Schwarzenegger's office reports that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged Californians to prepare for the upcoming flu season during his visit to Richmond public health laboratories. The Governor is quoted as saying "The State of California is taking A(H1N1) very seriously, and I urge every Californian to take it seriously too. We can all take important precautions to prevent getting sick or spreading the flu virus including covering your cough, washing your hands frequently and staying home when you are sick. Businesses need to be prepared that employees will not be in the office and parents need to plan for kids to be home from school."
The Richmond public health laboratories have played a critical role in monitoring and understanding the nature of the A(H1N1) virus. It was the first state public health laboratory in the U.S. to do A(H1N1) confirmatory testing. The laboratories are responsible for conducting screening and confirmatory testing, providing guidance to other labs in California, and monitoring the virus for changes.
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of 1 September, the state has recorded 1,663 hospitalizations, including 144 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
CalPanFlu.org will be activated September 1. The 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) influenza vaccine is being made available in California through the California Department of Public Health in partnership with local health departments. Healthcare providers and organizations interested in providing this vaccine can pre-register to receive vaccine, place their initial vaccine request, and report doses used through this site. The 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) influenza vaccine cannot be ordered through private organizations.
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of 25 August, the state has recorded 1,528 hospitalizations, including 128 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
No unusual events to report. The California Department of Public Health reports that as of 18 August, the state has recorded 1,353 hospitalizations, including 115 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
No unusual events to report. The California Department of Public Health reports that as of 12 August, the state has recorded 1,057 hospitalizations, including 104 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
No unusual events to report. The California Department of Public Health reports that as of 5 August, the state has recorded 892 hospitalizations, including 92 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
No recent unusual events to report. The California Department of Public Health reports that as of 30 July, the state has recorded 699 hospitalizations, including 80 fatalities, of A(H1N1) influenza cases.
Note: In view of the statements made by the WHO and CDC, MBay Flu Watch will no longer publish counts of confirmed and probable cases of H1N1 flu in countries known to be affected by the pandemic. This will include the United States. Rather, we will follow WHO's suggestion and publish accounts of "unusual events;" which WHO notes are "indicators that might suggest alterations in patterns of disease severity or spread that might be signs of changes in the pandemic virus." At this time, there are no "unusual events" to report in California.
Associated Press (AP) reports that the San Quentin State Prison has stopped accepting inmates from 19 Northern California counties Wednesday because of swine flu fears. Nearly half its 5,200 inmates are being quarantined. AP quotes Luis Patino, a spokesman for the federal receiver who oversees prison medical care, as having stated that "tests show four inmates likely have the H1N1 virus, and 47 inmates are showing symptoms." Inmates are not being transferred to other prisons for fear they could spread the pandemic flu. That means there is no room for the roughly 250 new inmates who would normally be transferred from county jails each week to San Quentin.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman Oscar Hidalgo is quoted as stating that the department is arranging with counties to bring incoming inmates to other prisons for processing as early as 8 July. He said San Quentin will soon be able to accept some new inmates as others are paroled. About 105 inmates each week are normally paroled from San Quentin. "No one's getting early release, nothing like that," Hidalgo said. He said the department has routinely faced similar problems with other contagious diseases.
Reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infections in California as of this date is 2,469 cases (1,945 confirmed and 524 probable), which includes 287 hospitalizations and 32 deaths. The total cumulative case count in Monterey County is currently 41.
The reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infections in California as of this date are 2,009 cases (1,658 confirmed, 351 probable) from 45 of 61 local health jurisdictions.
The number of H1N1 flu cases continues to decrease in California, but the total number is still higher than is usual for summer. For Monterey County, there has been no change since the previous week; the total cumulative case count is currently 33 in the county.
As of this date, the total cumulative H1N1 case count is 22 in Monterey County. We remind readers that the county remains at Phase 6 Pandemic alert level.
Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health, today urged Californians to continue to take precautions against the spread of the novel H1N1 virus (swine flu), which persists in California despite the end of the regular flu season. "Flu activity usually declines significantly in the summer months, but we are continuing to see cases of H1N1," Horton said. "We remind all Californians to continue to take common-sense steps to prevent the flu from spreading by covering their coughs, washing hands and staying home when they are sick."
Dr. Horton's offered the reminder as local health officials announced the death of the 17th Californian from the novel H1N1 virus, a middle-aged man from Solano County. Preliminary information from local health officials indicate that 10 of the 17 Californians who have died had pre-existing health conditions including chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and emphysema. Another common factor appears to be obesity and morbid obesity.
In addition, at least 142 Californians have been hospitalized due to the novel H1N1 virus, while many more have been sickened at home and have recovered. The majority of H1N1 cases continue to be mild in severity.
As of 25 June, the number of reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infections in California was 1,519 cases, of which 1,294 were confirmed and 225 probable.
On Friday morning, 12 June, Stanford Hospital tested something that might one day be the standard for how all hospitals respond when thousands might need care at the height of pandemic-a car drive-through triage and care system to keep people from infecting each other and to care for them as quickly and efficiently as possible. The system tested, with 40 patients and 50 health care providers, was simple. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, evaluators and observers hovered around a series of tables where patients were first registered, then evaluated, then treated and then discharged The observers - health care and emergency preparedness professionals - gathered data that will be sent on to the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control for evaluation and review.
For Stanford and Palo Alto police officials, one of the main challenges when a catastrophe occurs is traffic control. In a dry run a couple of years ago, city emergency officials used the Mitchell Park Library as a medical evaluation center, "but we concluded it was not efficient. Parking is a significant issue," said Dennis Burns, the city's interim police chief. Keeping people in their cars is a great idea, he said.
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of this date, there have been 918 confirmed and 218 probable Influenza A(H1N1) cases in the state.
In response to WHO's decision to raise the pandemic level to phase 6, the Director of the California Department of Public Health, Dr. Mark Horton, issued a statement that included the following passages:
"The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has prepared for pandemic influenza and has already been actively responding to it. While there have been hospitalizations and deaths from the virus in California, and we expect there will be more, for most people who contract the virus the symptoms have been mild.
"CDPH will continue to monitor the novel H1N1 flu in California to alert the public to any significant changes that would impact the public's health. To combat the spread of the virus, please remember to wash your hands, cough in your sleeve and stay home when sick."
The influenza situation in Monterey County is unchanged since the previous week. To reiterate, there have been 14 confirmed and 4 suspected Influenza A(H1N1) cases to this date.
As of May 5, Monterey County health officials have reported about 6 probable swine flu cases in the county, but so far have decided to leave schools open.
There are no apparent links between the 4 swine flu cases discovered last week, all of them who were children, and the 2 new cases discovered on 4 and 5 May.
Although some parents have indicated concern about whether their children are threatened by swine flu, the Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Hugh Stallworth stated that students are not at risk and therefore, there is no need to close schools.
Dr. Stallworth said it would be "irresponsible" to leave the decision to keep students at home to parents without first exploring whether there was an actual risk. "We are the health experts. We decide whether or not there is a risk situation," Dr. Stallworth said, adding that the new strain "seems much less aggressive than originally thought." No student in Monterey County has transmitted the virus to other students. If this was to occur, Dr. Stallworth would order classes to be suspended.
Out of 25 California counties with confirmed or probable cases, fewer than half have suspended classes. Only 6 of the 10 counties that closed campuses have confirmed cases of swine flu.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) held a pandemic influenza exercise during 12-13 May 2008. View a report about the pandemic influenza exercise, published in January 2009.
The exercise tested DPH's ability to communicate with area hospitals and provide infection control guidelines under a shortage situation.
In addition, it tested communication and reporting with the DPH Departmental Operations Center and state partners during an Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) plan activation using traditional means and the new Virtual Command Center software.
Finally, the exercise evaluated responders' use of newly revised and shortened Incident Command System (ICS) forms.
In the 2008-2009 flu season, fewer patients sought medical assistance at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, located in San Diego County, compared to the 2007-2008 flu season. Health officials believe the vaccine distributed in fall 2008 is the main reason why the 2008-2009 flu season has been milder than the previous one.
"The whole constellation of fever, cough, muscle ache and joint pain is not quite as bad as it has been in past years," said Dr. Marc Kobernick, an emergency physician at Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Kobernick typically diagnoses dozens of flu cases each year, whereas his count is fewer than ten for the current season.
In San Diego County, 794 people tested positive for influenza between October 2008 and April 2009. During the 2007-2008 flu season, 1,850 persons in the county were diagnosed with influenza. Two individuals have died from influenza-related complications during the 2008-2009 flu season compared to nine last season.
San Diego County public health officer Dr. Wilma Wooten associated this season's lower influenza infection rate with high risk patients and medical workers having received early vaccination. Wooten also noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccinating all children over six months of age against the flu.
FDA cleared for marketing a new rapid test for detecting the presence of A/H5N1 flu virus, an avian influenza subtype that can infect humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the few avian influenza viruses that can infect humans, the H5N1 subtype has caused the largest number of cases of serious disease and death.
Previous tests could detect this influenza virus subtype in three or four hours, whereas the new one can do it in less than 40 minutes. "The clearance of this test represents a major step toward protecting the public from the threat of pandemic flu," said Daniel G. Schultz, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
The test, called AVantage A/H5N1 Flu Test, is manufactured by Arbor Vita Corporation, located in Sunnyvale, California. It detects influenza virus H5N1 in throat or nose swabs collected from patients present with have flu-like symptoms.
Despite an otherwise mild flu season in California, the influenza virus continues to spread widely. Health officials use the term "widespread" when flu cases are being detected in half of the state. "It was a slower start, but we also have been very successful in vaccinating people and the vaccine is a better match," said Dr. Gil Chavez, epidemiologist for the state's Department of Public Health.
Influenza usually peaks in January or February, but cases of flu can occur even in April and May. Health specialists urge people to continue washing hands and cover their mouths when they cough. "The most important thing with influenza is to never predict," said Alicia Fry, medical epidemiologist with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts flu in any given year. For prevention, the CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months old receives a flu shot, especially school children. Those who experience fever, sore muscles, chills, and fatigue should be seen by a physician within 48 hours of symptoms first appearing.
Even though no connection between childhood vaccines and autism has been scientifically proved, a growing number of parents throughout California refuse to vaccinate their children against diseases such as flu, thereby increasing the risk of disease outbreaks in schools.
Claims that vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, may cause autism are unproven. In addition, thimerosal has been removed from routine childhood vaccines since 2001. Although the preservative remains in some flu vaccine formulations, thimerosal-free flu vaccines are readily available.
After 2001, researchers conducted an investigation to determine if thimerosal was causing autism, concluding that the mercury-based preservative was not at fault. One such study found that autism rates continued to rise in California even after the preservative was phased out of routine childhood vaccines.
Furthermore, in 2002, a study that involved more than 500,000 Danish children showed no increase in the risk of any autistic-spectrum disorders among vaccinated children as compared with unvaccinated children.
The advice given to pregnant women not to eat certain fish due to their mercury content may be another reason for misinterpretation regarding the use of vaccines containing thimerosal. However, there is significant difference between the mercury found in fish, which is absorbed into tissues through the digestive process, and the mercury-based preservative once found in routine childhood vaccines, which is not absorbed but is instead eliminated in human wastes.
Vaccine exemptions for kindergartners, which allow them to enroll without having state-mandated immunizations, have more than doubled in the last decade. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infections can spread quickly within groups that have a 90-95 percent vaccination rate.
The current flu season in California is turning out to be one of the mildest in recent years. However, even though doctors claim the [flu season's] peak to be over, a milder [flu] wave may still to come. The number of children who have died from influenza during the current 2008-2009 flu season is three, which compares favorably to five who died last season.
Historically, California's flu season peaks in January and February. Data from last week show that the number of flu cases have begun to decline and will presumably continue so through April, said Dr. Gilberto Chavez, deputy director of the Center for Infectious Diseases at the California Department of Public Health.
One reason this winter's flu season has been mild is that this year's flu vaccine contained a flu virus strain that closely matched the strains of flu virus prevalent in the general population, health officials said. Chavez also said public health authorities have improved their ability to encourage the public, including children, to become vaccinated against flu.
| Site Last Modified: November 17, 2009 |
|
Copyright © 2009 James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). All Rights Reserved.