Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

HHS’ Assistant Secretary for Legislation is also hosting periodic telebriefings on 2009 H1N1. The 2009 H1N1 Influenza Update is issued every two weeks unless events dictate otherwise. Questions should be directed to CDC/Washington at 202-245-0600.

Note: Green text indicates new information. Black text indicates background and other information also included in previous updates.

February 5, 2010 (Winter 2010; Issue 4)

Contents:

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• Current 2009 H1N1 Situation Update
• 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Supply
• Late Flu Season Recommendations
• USDA Study Confirms Pork from Pigs Exposed to H1N1 Virus is Safe to Eat
• Key CDC Guidance on Prevention and Control
• New H1N1 Reports
• Media Updates and Webcasts

Current 2009 H1N1 Situation Update

CDC currently reports H1N1 surveillance in two ways: 1) reporting of laboratory confirmed hospitalizations and deaths, and 2) a newer approach that provides an estimated range of the total number of 2009 H1N1 influenza associated hospitalizations and deaths using a new model. The laboratory confirmed update is provided below; an updated estimate based on the model will be included in this summary every three to four weeks as it is available.

Laboratory Confirmed Report

In the U.S. from August 30, 2009 – January 30, 2010, 39,793 laboratory-confirmed influenza associated hospitalizations and 1,898 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths were reported to CDC.

A total of 272 deaths in children associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been reported to CDC.

Influenza Activity

Currently, no states are reporting widespread influenza activity. Six states are reporting regional influenza activity. See map below for updated view of influenza in the U.S.

More information regarding 2009 H1N1 influenza activity can be viewed here.

More information about CDC’s 2009 H1N1 influenza surveillance system is available here.

Weekly updates on the global 2009 H1N1 influenza situation can be found here.

2009 H1N1 Vaccine Supply 

All states have opened up 2009 H1N1 vaccination to anyone who wants it. This vaccine is the best way to protect against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus. Those who patiently waited to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine are now encouraged to get vaccinated. As of January 29, 147.3 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine are available for ordering by states. State-by-state H1N1 vaccine supply numbers are available here.

 

Late Flu Season Recommendations

Though influenza activity has decreased, the flu season is not over yet. As recently as January 15, 7 states were still reporting regional flu activity. Seasonal flu typically peaks in February and March and influenza activity can occur as late as May. Increased activity from either seasonal flu, 2009 H1N1, or both are still possible this season. It’s still important to get vaccinated against the flu and be as prepared as possible if activity increases again this season.

The www.flu.gov vaccine locator is available here. Additional late season recommendations regarding 2009 H1N1 flu and vaccination are available here.

USDA Study Confirms Pork From Pigs Exposed to H1N1 Virus is Safe to Eat

A study conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists provided additional confirmation last month that meat and tissue from pigs exposed to two strains of the 2009 novel pandemic H1N1 virus did not contain virus. The results were published in the Public Library of Science’s online journal, PLoS ONE. The study was conducted by scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the agency’s National Animal Disease Center, part of the USDA National Centers for Animal Health in Ames, Iowa. 

These findings about the safety of pork from pigs previously infected with the 2009 novel pandemic H1N1 virus support recommendations of the World Health Organization that pork harvested from swine that had been infected previously and had recovered from the virus can be safely handled or eaten, following basic hygiene practices for handling of meat.

Read the complete news release here.

Key CDC Guidance on Prevention and Control

CDC has issued (or updated) guidance to help individuals, schools, businesses, and others take steps to avoid the flu and deal with its consequences.  All guidance can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/. Below, we have provided direct links to a sampling of key guidance that may be of interest.

Guidance for Child Care Programs, Schools, Colleges and Universities

Guidance for Schools

Guidance for Institutions of Higher Learning

Guidance for Childcare Facilities

Business and Employer Guidance

Guidance for Business, Employers and Workplaces

Clinician Guidance

Updated Guidance for the use of Antiviral Medications

Guidance for Pregnant Women

Information for Pregnant Women Working in Education, Child Care, and Health Care Settings

Tools for Providers of Children with High Risk Conditions

Guidance for Patients and Caretakers

Guidance for Patients and Caretakers (and here)

2009 H1N1 Flu Information for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers or Personal Assistants

Guidance for Community Settings and Community Planners

Guidance for Community Settings

Guidance from Pediatric Stakeholders: A Coordinated Approach to Communicating Pediatric-related Information on Pandemic Influenza at the Community Level

New H1N1 Reports

During January, there were several new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) reports regarding 2009 H1N1 flu. These include (from the most recent):

1) A January 29th report detailing outbreaks of 2009 H1N1 Influenza among long-term care facility (LTCF) residents in three states: Colorado, Maine, and New York. These outbreaks illustrate that, despite the lower risk for infection with 2009 H1N1 among persons aged ≥65 years compared with seasonal influenza, 2009 H1N1 outbreaks still can occur in LTCFs. These outbreaks also underscore the importance of respiratory illness surveillance and recommended infection-control procedures in LTCFs. The report is available here.

2) A report summarizing influenza activity in the United States from August 30, 2009 to January 9, 2010. The report includes information on viral surveillance, antiviral resistance, state-specific activity levels, outpatient influenza-like illness surveillance, influenza-associated hospitalizations, and pneumonia and influenza-related mortality. Read the report here.

3) A report estimating 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage to date for the 2009-2010 influenza season. The results indicated that, as of January 2, an estimated 20.3% of the U.S. population (61 million persons) had been vaccinated, including 27.9% of persons in the initial target groups and 37.5% of those in the limited vaccine subset. An estimated 29.4% of U.S. children aged 6 months--18 years had been vaccinated. Read the report here.

Media Updates and Webcasts

CDC conducts regular media updates and briefings regarding 2009 H1N1 Influenza. Transcripts of these briefings, as well as audio recordings, are available here.

A radio-ready PSA urging individuals to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available here.

A variety of webcasts are also available on www.flu.gov.

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