Epidemics

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 »

April 27, 2009 -- RICHMOND — Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that, though there are no confirmed cases in Virginia, the Commonwealth is preparing for any outbreak of swine flu by increasing its communication with healthcare providers, and is preparing to receive additional antiviral medication from the Centers for Disease Control.    » read more »

All Schools in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Closed

April 26, 2009 -- AUSTIN – As a precautionary measure, Texas Governor Rick Perry today increased his request of antiviral medication to 25 percent (850,000 courses) of the Texas allotment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile to be prepositioned in the state. This request will augment the more than 840,000 courses of antiviral medication on hand in Texas following a purchase authorized by the 80th Legislature and Gov. Perry in 2007.    » read more »

April 27, 2009 -- Oklahoma City — While Oklahoma currently has no confirmed cases of swine flu, Gov. Brad Henry said today that state officials are being vigilant in the event any cases emerge.

“This is a serious health concern that demands attention and alertness,” he said. “Oklahoma’s healthcare, public safety and emergency management communities are working hard to ensure that we are prepared if and when any cases of swine flu are confirmed in the state.”

Swine flu cases in the U.S. have been confirmed in New York, California, Texas, Kansas and Ohio.

The state Department of Health is bolstering its influenza surveillance and asking healthcare providers to consider testing for influenza patients with flu-like symptoms, particularly if they have traveled to Mexico.    » read more »

April 27, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D.- North Dakota Governor John Hoeven this weekend directed state health officials to take aggressive steps to prepare for possible cases of swine flu in North Dakota. As of Monday morning, 20 cases had been reported in five U.S. states. Cases have also been detected in Canada, Spain, New Zealand and Mexico, where the new viral strain is believed to have originated. The federal government declared a national health emergency Sunday.

Of the U.S. cases, most appear to be mild; only one person was hospitalized, and at this time, all of the known cases in the U.S. have recovered. So far, no cases of the illness have been detected in North Dakota.    » read more »

No Cases Have Been Reported in New Mexico So Far

April 26, 2009 -- (Santa Fe) – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said today that the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and New Mexico Department of Health already have emergency response plans in place if New Mexico develops any swine flu cases. So far, New Mexico has no cases of swine influenza.

The United States declared a public health emergency today due to 20 confirmed cases of swine flu in California, Texas, Ohio, New York and Kansas as well as numerous cases in Mexico. In the U.S., patients are 7 to 54 years old; one person has been hospitalized and no one has died.    » read more »

Governor advises that this action is precautionary; No human cases of swine flu have been found in Nevada at this time

April 27, 2009 -- Carson City – Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons today ordered several agencies to take action to prepare for a rapid and comprehensive response in the event of a Swine Flu outbreak in Nevada. NOTE: NO HUMAN CASES OF SWINE FLU HAVE BEEN FOUND IN NEVADA AT THIS TIME. At the request of the Nevada State Health Division and the Nevada Division of Health and Human Services, medicine and medical supplies are already being moved into Nevada.    » read more »