Flu update from MCPH

Marion County Public Health

Knoxville May 01, 2009 09:02 am

— Yesterday, the WHO increased the pan flu level to level 5: This means that there is widespread human infection, human to human spread. The declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short. In short, time to have your ducks in a row!
It was also announced yesterday that Iowa has 2 “probable” cases. The state University Hygienic Lab has sent 2 samples on to the CDC for final confirmation of the disease. I have heard late this afternoon that one case has been confirmed. Health care providers are screening patients with predetermined criteria to limit the samples that go to the lab. UHL said today that they are getting about 150 testing requests per day. It is important to keep in mind that we also are still having seasonal flu in Iowa and in Marion County.
The state of Iowa has received a supply of anti-virals from the federal government. Those anti-virals will be used to treat people with disease, not for prophylaxis, or preventive purpose. Those will be allocated per county, and shipped out to us within the next few days. I will provide the health care providers more information as it comes available.
The State of Iowa is preparing for a public health disaster. This is prudent, however, it does not mean that there is need to over-react or panic. This preparation allows the state to receive additional anti-virals and medical supplies if needed. It also allows for state and local public health to have access to a variety of public health tools should the need arise.
Locally, I am encouraging businesses, schools, and organizations to “dust off” their pandemic or communicable disease containment plans, review them, and do your internal organization preparation.
I am also getting quite a few questions about the potential need to cancel public mass gatherings/community events. At this time, there is no reason for us to suggest cancelling any mass gatherings/public events. Currently, there is no scientific public health reason to do so in Marion County. The IDPH and Marion County Public Health Department will continue to monitor the situation, and will notify the public if that changes. We are encouraging people to take responsible steps to prevent the spread of flu:
Wash your hands frequently
Use alcohol based hand sanitizers
Cover your cough
Throw tissues directly into garbage
Don’t eat or drink after others
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Avoid contact with sick people
Respect people’s personal space: 3 feet
STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!
About staying home if sick: While we don’t want to create a difficult culture for human resource management, it is very important that people not come to work or school when they are sick “but they think they can make it”. That spreads disease. This may require all of us to really consider our current attendance policies.
I have also gotten questions specific to schools and potential school closings. I am understanding that the guidance for schools will come through the Dept of Education. Unless the IDPH makes requirements for general quarantine under a disaster declaration and includes schools in that, we will not make the decision. Your Board of Ed has the authority to make that decision whenever they deem necessary. I know we are going to get a new set of additional protocols (hopefully) this afternoon/evening sometime. If these protocols include guidance for the schools and employers, I'll send them right out.
About use of masks: We do not anticipate recommending using masks for the general public. It does little if any good, and it provides a false sense of security. We DO suggest that school and employers keep some masks on hand, however, in case a student or employee becomes ill while at their facility. In that case, put a mask on them and send them home. It would be a good idea for them to have an additional mask to take with them so that when they call their doctor, and if the doctor wants them to come in for testing, they would have a mask to wear on the way there. We absolutely want to be clear on this: People should CALL THEIR DOCTOR prior to going in or showing up at the clinic or Emergency Department. We do not want a sick person to expose others, regardless if it is H1N1 flu OR seasonal flu.
I am also encouraging people to do their personal preparation. Personal preparation checklists can be found at www.ready.gov or www.protectiowahealth.org. I encourage people to get information about the H1N1 at www.idph.state.ia.us or at www.cdc.gov. Both sites have excellent information. For specific questions, the Iowa Department of Public Health has set up a public information hotline. The number is 1-800-447-1985.