Medicine

Washington, D.C. (May 4, 2009)— As the confirmed number of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) cases grows in the United States, public concern understandably grows. The American Lung Association wishes to ease public concern by offering proven advice on how to prevent the spread of contagious respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu).    » read more »

New H1N1 policy sets school closing procedures; Three additional schools to close, joining Rockville High School

Baltimore, MD (May 1, 2009) – Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has signed an executive order declaring a public health emergency for Maryland in an abundance of caution to prepare for swine flu in Maryland. The Governor also announced a new statewide public and private school policy based on advice and guidance of the CDC.

Based on new guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and discussions with governors on a conference call today, the state will close any public or private school and cease all extracurricular activities for up to 14 days in the event a student is deemed "probable" for the H1N1 influenza virus.    » read more »

May 3, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention today has identified a new adult in York County as having the H1N1 influenza, bringing the State total to seven.

Totals as of Sunday, May 3: Two adults in Kennebec County, three adults and one youth in York County, and one youth in Penobscot County. All are recovering.

“We are continuing to examine the specific facts around these cases,” said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Director of the Maine CDC. “None of the individuals have been hospitalized and all are recovering. Our goal remains to slow the spread of H1N1 influenza and to protect public health.”

In addition, Maine CDC continues to closely monitor guidance for mitigating the spread of H1N1 that is being developed by the U.S. CDC.    » read more »

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 »

April 28, 2009 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue today signed House Bill 217, the “Access to Flu Vaccines Act,” which permits pharmacists and nurses to order and dispense flu shots pursuant to a protocol agreement with a physician. The bill also grants the Governor broader emergency powers if a pandemic influenza is declared by the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control.

“The flu affects thousands of people each year and our citizens should be able to access flu vaccines to protect themselves and their families,” said Governor Perdue. “This legislation makes it easier for Georgians to receive flu shots and allows the state to respond quickly and effectively to any flu outbreak.”    » 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 »