The Community’s Response to Pandemic Influenza Dana Reed Wise, MPH student Walden University PUBH Dr. Jalal Ghaemghami Summer, 2009

The Community’s Response to Pandemic Influenza  Background Information  HINI activities  Preparation by local health department  Community’s Response  Questions?  Conclusion

Marion County Health Department  The Marion County Health Department is divided into two Bureaus Environmental Health First responders for hazardous waste incidents Responsible for ensuring safe water, food, and shelter Mosquito and rodent control Healthy homes, pools, childhood lead program

Marion County Health Department cont. Population Health Maternal and childcare programs Vital records Public Health nursing Dental services Epidemiology

H1N1 Influenza  Novel H1N1 Influenza - CDC  Not the Swine Flu or Avian Flu  First detected in April 2009  Declared an emergency by the White House  263 deaths have occurred as of July 17, 2009 Indiana has 283 cases, with 2 deaths  Pharmaceutical companies currently developing a vaccine

H1N1 Influenza, cont.  Approximately 36,000 people in the U.S. die each year from seasonal flu  200,000 hospitalizations  Rapidly spreading virus  New virus; currently no vaccine available  Current vaccine does not offer protection

H1N1 Influenza, cont.  How can you minimize your risk? Frequently wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes Avoid contact with sick people Practice coughing and sneezing into your elbow If using tissue, dispose immediately

H1N1 Influenza, cont.  Influenza Symptoms Fever Sore throat Coughing Body aches and chills Fatigue Vomiting and diarrhea

Massachusetts Department of Public Health H1N1 (Swine Flu)  What is H1N1 influenza?  H1N1 flu, also known as “swine flu,” is a respiratory disease caused by a type of influenza virus. There are several different types of the “H1N1” flu virus. One type causes illness in pigs. Another type causes illness in people. (Occasionally, the H1N1 virus from pigs can cause illness in humans and the H1N1 virus from pigs can cause disease in humans.) Recently, a new type of H1N1 flu has been found to cause illness in people. Since March 2009, there have been many cases of this new type of H1N1 flu in the United States and around the world.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health H1N1 (Swine Flu)  How would I know if I have the new H1N1 flu?  If you have symptoms of influenza, contact your healthcare provider. He or she will decide what type of testing (if any) and treatment is right for you. Most people who are otherwise healthy, and who have mild illness, do not need to be tested. Your healthcare provider may recommend testing if you are very ill or have a high risk of complications with influenza (for example if you are over 65, immuno- suppressed, or chronically ill). If you think you might have H1N1 or seasonal flu and you need to see your health care provider, you should call ahead and let them know you might have the flu. That way, precautions can be taken to avoid the spread of flu to others.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health H1N1 (Swine Flu)  How can I protect myself and others from the new H1N1 flu?  You can protect yourself and others from the new H1N1 flu the same way that you protect yourself from seasonal flu. Avoid holding, hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with anyone who has a cold or the flu. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Clean things that are touched often like door handles, telephones, faucets, etc. If you get sick with a flu-like illness stay home from work and school and avoid contact with others so the virus does not spread.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health H1N1 (Swine Flu)  If someone in my house is sick, but I’m not, do I need to stay home?  You do not need to stay home or out of school if you are not sick. However, it is recommended that you limit unnecessary contact with other people as much as possible. If you start feeling sick, especially with fever, cough, sore throat and feeling tired, you should stay at home and minimize contact with others as much as possible.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health H1N1 (Swine Flu)  Get medical care right away if the sick person at home:  Has difficulty breathing or chest pain  Has purple or blue discoloration of the lips  I s vomiting and unable to keep liquids down  Has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry  Has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions), is less responsive than normal or becomes confused

Massachusetts Department of Public Health H1N1 (Swine Flu)  Massachusetts Department of Public Health website on influenza 

Health Department Preparation  Following Incident Command System  All health department staff have been assigned a role  Organizing Points of Dispensing or PODS  Partnering with hospitals, private physicians, nurses, other volunteers to assist

Health Department Preparation, cont.  Points of Dispensing 25 locations have been established throughout the county Each location will have every service Important to receive services at location closest to your residence

Community Response Activities  If you are sick, stay home  Do not return to work until you are symptom free for at least 24 hours  Limit your contact with people

Community Response Activities, cont.  Listen to media outlets for information  Discuss information with friends, neighbors, family members  Consider areas you can provide assistance  Consider helping others  Begin gathering personal medical information

Emergency Preparedness Planning – Survivors Kit  Water – 1 gallon per day for each family member  Non perishable food  Flashlight  Battery operated radio (extra batteries)  First Aid kit  Medicine

Emergency Preparedness Planning – Survivors Kit cont.  Personal hygiene items including toilet paper and paper towels  Copies of personal information  Emergency contact information  Cell phones and chargers  Extra cash  Pet supplies

The Community’s Response to Pandemic Influenza  Encourage staff to stay home should they become ill  Depending on the size of your business, consider offering flu shots on the premises  Designate one person to be the caretaker of an ill individual in your home  Encourage individuals in your circles to get the flu vaccine

The Community’s Response to Pandemic Influenza  H1N1 influenza information was obtained from  Other source: ndex.html ndex.html  Marion County Health Department:

The Community’s Response to Pandemic Influenza  Questions?