CDC

May 2, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – The first shipments of antiviral drugs and protective equipment released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began arriving in Maine early today.

The materials were distributed by the Maine National Guard to nine regional medical facilities around the State, which will distribute the supplies to other hospitals as needed. According to U.S. CDC directives, the antiviral drugs received today are intended to treat only persons considered seriously ill and who are hospitalized.

The shipments included antiviral drugs, protective masks, gloves and other medical equipment.

On Wednesday, April 29, Maine ordered a significant stockpile of antiviral drugs. Those shipments will begin arriving in the State as early as Tuesday, May 5.    » read more »

May 01, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, state officials announced that the Department of Health and Hospitals is investigating another possible case of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus in Ascension Parish, bringing the total number of possible cases in Louisiana to nine.

These are only possible cases, meaning they could not be identified by the Office of Public Health laboratory in New Orleans and have been sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab in Atlanta for confirmation. There are still no confirmed cases of the virus in Louisiana, at this time.    » read more »

May 4, 2009 -- HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is awaiting laboratory confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on three probable cases of novel H1N1 Influenza A (swine-origin flu).

The DOH State Laboratories Division (SLD) began conducting validation tests to subtype influenza samples and identify novel H1N1 cases this past Saturday after receiving testing materials from CDC that morning. The first preliminary tests completed at SLD on Sunday were presumptively positive, and samples were sent to CDC for confirmatory testing.    » read more »

6 More ‘Probable’ H1N1 Flu Cases

May 2, 2009 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that a child from Middlefield has tested positive for the H1N1 flu, or swine flu, virus. In addition, the Department of Public Health (DPH) Laboratory has identified six additional “probable” cases of H1N1 flu in Connecticut.    » read more »

April 28, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Secretary Napolitano: Thanks, and good afternoon. I'd like to provide you with the latest information in our efforts to respond to the H1N1 flu outbreak.

First, I'd like to reiterate what President Obama said yesterday. This outbreak is a cause for concern, not yet a cause for alarm. Because the number of confirmed cases continues to rise and will likely rise in the next few days, we recognize that many Americans are rightly concerned about their own health and safety. I share that concern. The President shares that concern. But we are confident in the efforts underway across the federal government and across state and local governments to keep Americans safe and healthy.    » read more »

April 28, 2009 -- "I want to reiterate that U.S. pork is safe. While we in the U.S. are continuing to monitor for new cases of H1N1 flu, the American food supply is safe.

There is no evidence or reports that U.S. swine have been infected with this virus. USDA is reminding its trading partners that U.S. pork and pork products are safe and there is no basis for restricting imports of commercially produced U.S. pork and pork products.

This is not an animal health or food safety issue. This discovery of the H1N1 flu virus is in humans. Any trade restrictions would be inconsistent with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines.    » read more »

28 April 2009--The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 19:15 GMT, 28 April 2009, seven countries have officially reported cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 64 laboratory confirmed human cases, with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Canada (6), New Zealand (3), the United Kingdom (2), Israel (2) and Spain (2).

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.    » read more »

April 28, 2009 -- Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri and Dr. David Gifford, Director for the Rhode Island Department of Health, today assured Rhode Islanders that the state is prepared to deal with an outbreak of swine flu, should one occur. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of swine flu in Rhode Island.

“The Department of Health is leading the state’s coordinated effort and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” said Governor Carcieri. “Our health officials are well prepared to manage the situation. It is important for the public to be informed of how to prevent getting swine flu – wash your hands frequently, cough into your elbow and stay home if you are sick.”    » read more »

04/28/2009 -- As part of the state’s aggressive approach to addressing the swine flu, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a State of Emergency that will support and facilitate our state health departments’ response to this outbreak. While there is no need for alarm, it is the Governor’s top priority to limit the swine flu’s spread as quickly and effectively as possible and this action represents one more step being taken to strengthen California’s response capabilities.

This proclamation cuts government red tape by:    » read more »

April 26, 2009 -- Secretary Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security
John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
Dr. Richard Besser, Acting Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Robert Gibbs, Press Secretary

Mr. Gibbs: Good afternoon, guys. Thank you for taking some time out of your Sunday afternoon. We wanted to bring together many of the people that have the primary governmental responsibility in dealing with the situation and to discuss the government's capacity and capability to discuss the steps the government is taking to address this.    » read more »

April 26, 2009 -- The Department of Health and Human Services today issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration in response to recent human infections with a newly discovered swine influenza A (swine flu) virus.

The formal declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHE) is a tool that facilitates HHS’ preparation and mobilization for disasters and emergencies. For example, PHEs were recently declared for flooding in North Dakota, the Inauguration, and several 2008 hurricanes.

Today’s declaration, made under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, will help HHS prepare for prevention and mitigation activities by enabling Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorizations of drugs, devices, or medical tests under certain circumstances.    » read more »

April 27, 2009 -- "As promised, I wanted to keep you up to date on our outreach efforts.

First, let me say again to consumers, there is no evidence at this time that U.S. swine have been infected with this virus.

Second, I want to reiterate the same message to our trading partners - our pork and pork products are safe. The discovery of this virus in humans is not a basis for restricting imports of commercially produced U.S. pork and pork products. Any trade restrictions would be inconsistent with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines. USDA is working closely with the U.S. Trade Representative's office on these issues.    » read more »

April 27, 2009 -- Do any swine have the virus that has infected humans?

* There is no evidence at this time that swine in the United States are infected with this virus strain.

Can I get this new strain of virus from eating pork or pork products?

* According to USDA scientists, no. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.
* Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all viruses.

Can I get this flu by touching pork that is not yet cooked?

* There is no evidence at this time that the virus is in swine or that touching uncooked pork could infect someone with the virus.    » read more »

27 April 2009 -- The current situation regarding the outbreak of swine influenza A(H1N1) is evolving rapidly. As of 27 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six cases, with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths.

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.    » read more »

April 27, 2009 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States and internationally. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.

The CDC has prepared interim guidance on how to care for people who are sick as well as on the use of face masks in a community setting where the spread of this swine flu virus has occurred. For the most recent information concerning swine flu infection, please see the CDC Web site.    » read more »