Sen. Brown, CDC Update On H1N1 Influenza

Article continues below...

Brown Joined by Ohio Dept. of Health Director to Give Update on H1N1 in Ohio, Release County-by-County Report on Vaccine Distribution

November 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a news briefing on H1N1 influenza and the federal response. They were joined by Dr. Alvin D. Jackson, Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

"We can never be too prepared for the spread of the H1N1 virus," Brown said. "In order to combat this quickly-spreading virus, we need to continue close coordination between state and federal governments. Preventing the spread of H1N1 and keeping Ohioans safe is our top priority."

Flu season in the U.S. typically spans November through mid-March, and involves multiple strains, which now include the H1N1. Symptoms of the flu include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and tiredness. H1N1, which was first detected in the U.S. in April 2009, may also include vomiting and diarrhea. Because H1N1 is contagious, the CDC recommends that all Americans cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, wash their hands thoroughly and often, avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth, try to avoid close contact with sick people, and to say home if they are sick until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever.

Brown is an original cosponsor of S. 2790, legislation which would guarantee paid sick days for those who are infected by the H1N1 virus. The bill is intended to slow the spread of H1N1 by encouraging those who have flu-like symptoms to follow the CDC's recommendations to stay home instead of going into work, while making it easier for parents to care for sick children or deal with school closures.

H1N1 vaccine is first being distributed to certain high-risk segments of the population, as recommended by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. These include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children between 6 months and 4 years of age; and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions. The second priority group is for persons between the ages of 5 and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

"From the smallest counties to the biggest cities and everywhere in between, local public health professionals have done an exemplary job providing H1N1 vaccine to the highest-risk Ohioans," ODH Director Jackson said. "Thanks to local, state and federal partners, H1N1 vaccine is getting to those who need it most."

Following the call, Brown and ODH released county-by-county information on H1N1 vaccine distribution. As of Nov. 17, ODH reported 2,547 flu-related hospitalizations in Ohio, with 30 H1N1-related deaths. Ohio has received 1.6 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine and is projected to receive a total of 6.9 million doses. Several Ohio hospitals have indicated that emergency room visits by patients with H1N1-like symptoms have increased by 60-70 percent. High estimates for the state's total priority populations indicate that it includes more than 5.4 million Ohioans. ODH anticipates that more vaccine will be available in the coming weeks and months.

Source: Senator Sherrod Brown