Influenza: What You Need To Know To protect patients, your co-workers, your family, and yourself Craig Conlon MD, PhD, Employee Health Services Northern California Michael Allerton, MS, Practice Leader: Infectious Diseases, The Permanente Medical Group 2018-2019 Flu Season
Influenza What do we know? Highly infectious viral illness First Pandemic in 1580 At least three pandemics in the 20th century Virus first isolated in 1933 Flu associated deaths range from 3,000 to 49,000 per year Most people think the influenza is no big deal – until they get sick with flu. April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Influenza virus strains Type A Moderate to severe illness All age groups Humans and other animals affected Type B Milder disease Primarily affects children Humans only Type C Rarely reported in humans No epidemics April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
1918-1919 influenza pandemic Known as the Spanish Flu Estimated 21 million deaths worldwide 500,000 deaths in the U.S. April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Hong Kong Flu hit the U.S. in December of 1968 1957 – 1958 Pandemic Almost 70,000 deaths Hong Kong Flu hit the U.S. in December of 1968 Approximately 33,800 people died in the U.S. Flu symptoms lasted 4-5 days. Adults over the age of 65 were the most likely to die. Because of previous immunization, fewer people died from this pandemic. Pandemic gained momentum during December school break Improved medical support for victims Antibiotics available for secondary bacterial infections April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Impact of flu in the United States during a pandemic… 200 million people in the USA could be affected Up to 40 million people in the USA could require outpatient visits Up to 700,000 hospitalized Business activity and the economy could be affected as workers stay home ill. Medical systems could be overwhelmed with shortages in staff and supplies. April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Timing of Influenza Vaccine Programs Influenza activity can occur as early as October. In more than 80% of seasons since 1976, peak influenza activity has not occurred until January or later. In more than 60% of seasons the peak was in February or later. April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Percent of positive flu tests demonstrating influenza activity April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Influenza vaccination for Kaiser Permanente workers Educate about the benefits of vaccination for themselves, their families and their patients. Realize that this is a quality of care issue and that unvaccinated employees are a risk to our patients. Move current vaccination rate from 88% to 95% for all employees and physicians. April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
What can you do?…Get vaccinated! Work with Employee Health Services to ensure that vaccine is available to all employees and physicians working all shifts. Educate all leaders on employee/physician flu program requirements. Enforce the flu sticker program including the masking program for those who decline immunization. April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Questions? Craig Conlon MD, PhD (510) 987-3363 Craig.X.Conlon@kp.org April 12, 2019 | © Kaiser Permanente 2010-2011. All Rights Reserved.