Public Emergency Declared Due to Spread of H1N1 Influenza Virus (Swine Flu)

HHS declared a public health emergency April 26th because a strain of the H1N1 Influenza Virus (swine flu) (H1N1) has been diagnosed in people in the United States, Mexico, Canada and elsewhere. In the U.S., the CDC has confirmed 3 deaths as a result of the H1N1 flu virus. View an interactive map of swine flu cases worldwide or a flu tracker. On April 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5, meaning that a pandemic may be imminent.

HHS Secretary Sebelius announced April 30th that the federal government will purchase 13 million additional treatment courses to fight pandemic flu and is sending 400,000 treatment courses to Mexico to help slow the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. The Agency has approximately 50 million treatment courses in a Strategic National Stockpile and has released 11 million courses to the states to augment the 23 million treatment courses already in state stockpiles. Read an FDA Patient Fact Sheets on Relenza and Tamiflu. Sebelius and Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano also held a webcast on Thursday, April 29th to answer the public’s questions about the H1N1 flu virus.

CDC recommends taking the following steps to prevent the spread of swine flu:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick or when you are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean your hands often.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits.

The CDC has released H1N1 Q&A, information on occupational health issues associated with H1N1 influenza virus and interim guidance. You can also follow the CDC on its Twitter site.

Visit ANCOR's Emergency Preparedness web page for more information about pandemic flu, emergency preparedness and disaster relief.

Additional resources for preparing for pandemic influenza include:
Ready.gov
American Red Cross
Long-Term Care and Residential Services Checklist
Individual and Family Planning and Checklist
Business Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist
State and Local Planning and Response Activities
State Pandemic Plans
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities
CDC Guidance on Protecting At-Risk Populations During a Pandemic

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