Yolo H1N1 Virus Update #5 and Recommendations
DATE: September 14, 2009
TO: Yolo County Medical Providers and Medical Response Partners
FROM: Dr. Joseph P. Iser, Director - Health Officer
SUBJECT: Health Advisory: Update about Novel H1N1 Virus,
Vaccines, and Recommendations
We are sending you this Health Advisory for medical providers and
partner agencies in Yolo County to provide you with the latest available
information about Novel H1N1 Influenza. Please refer to earlier
advisories and web links including the Yolo County website for more
detailed information. We will send regular updates as new information
becomes available.
Situational update
Influenza illness due to Novel H1N1 is ongoing in the United States and
in California. Novel H1N1 accounts for almost all Influenza A nationwide
and in California at this time. As of September 10, there were 9079
hospitalized cases and 593 deaths reported due to Novel H1N1 in the
United States. In California there were1806 hospitalized cases and 152
deaths reported. There have been 9 hospitalized cases and 1 death
reported to date in Yolo County. Tamiflu resistance continues to be rare
but the potential for resistance remains a concern.
Novel H1N1 vaccine update
Clinics, physicians, hospitals, pharmacies and other vaccinators can now
register and place their initial order for H1N1 vaccine at the State
website: www.calpanflu.org. Vaccinators are encouraged to register if
they have not already done so. Vaccine is expected to begin to be
available in mid-October. The recommendation is to vaccinate people in
the following five target groups first and expand vaccination to all
people < 65 years if supply is sufficient:
Pregnant Women
- Household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- Children and young adults from 6 months through 24 years of age
- People ages 25 through 64 years with health conditions that put them at high risk for influenza-related complications.
Antiviral treatment recommendations
See also: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm
The CDC issued updated recommendations for use of anti-viral medication
to prevent or treat novel H1N1 influenza. This guidance is similar to
the previous guidance
- Treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir is recommended for all hospitalized persons with suspected or confirmed influenza.
- Treatment is generally recommended for persons with suspect or confirmed influenza at high risk for complications.
- Persons who are not at high risk and do not have severe illness do not usually require treatment or prophylaxis.
- If treatment is indicated it should be started as soon as possible. Treatment should not wait for lab confirmation. Other actions should be considered to reduce treatment delay, including phone consult with high risk patients.
- There is an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in place to allow use of oseltamivir in infants less than one year.
Child care guidance
See also: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childcare/guidance.htm”
CDC also issued guidance for child care centers this week.
Recommendations include:
- Get vaccinated against seasonal and H1N1 influenza,especially caretakers of children less than 6 mos old.
- Stay home when sick.
- Conduct daily health checks.
- Separate ill children and staff until they can go home.
- Encourage good hand hygiene and cover cough or sneeze.
- Perform frequent routine cleaning of areas that are soiled or have frequent contact with hands or mouths of children.
- Encourage early treatment for children and staff at high risk for complications.
- Consider temporary closure of programs if transmission is high in the community.
Clearance testing
CDPH states that clearance testing for H1N1 for return to work or school
after illness is not recommended.
Frequent cleaning
Frequent cleaning with routine cleaning products is recommended for
surfaces likely to have frequent hand contact.
Web sites for additional information:
Comments off
