CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Info Service Message: NEW and UPDATED Interim CDC Guidance Documents on H1N1 Flu

Distributed via Health Alert Network
May 6, 2009, 14:30 EDT (2:30 PM EDT)
HANINFO-0288-05-06-09-N

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues its response to the novel H1N1 Flu outbreak. As of May 6, 642 human infections with novel H1N1 flu have been confirmed in 41 states in the United States. As testing continues in many other states, more cases and more states are expected to be added. There have been two confirmed deaths in the US associated with the H1N1 virus to date.

CDC's goals continue to be to reduce transmission and illness severity and provide information to assist health care providers, public health officials and the public. To this end, CDC continues to develop and update interim guidance documents.

New Postings:

• Flyer: Clean Hands Save Lives: This is a one-page flyer discussing and illustrating proper hand washing practice and proper use of alcohol-based sanitizers.
  There are no new recommendations in this document.  It is a general educational piece regarding how, when, and why to maintain good hand hygiene.
• Interim transcript and audio file for May 1 Maternal and Child Health Issues Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity conference call
  This is an audio recording and 36-page transcript of the May 1 conference call.

Recommendations are as of May 1 and may be superseded by more recent information posted online. Topics discussed include recommendations for pregnant women, recommendations regarding children with special health care needs, considerations for breast feeding mothers and infants and what is known about infant feeding decisions relating to treatment and prophylaxis (including discussion of control of transmission from infected mother/nursing mother to newborn child), childcare institution issues, and discussion of use of rapid influenza testing.

• What Adults with HIV Infection Should Know About the Novel H1N1 Flu (formerly called swine flu): This document summarizes recommendations for protective behavior relative to Novel H1N1 influenza virus for individuals with HIV infection.

Recommendations include: symptom recognition, treatment recommendations, self-protective recommendations, recommended adherence to currently taken medications prescribed for HIV infection, chemoprophylaxis advice for HIV+ close contacts of individuals with H1N1 infection, and notation that HIV+ individuals do not appear to be at elevated risk of H1N1 infection although they may be susceptible to greater complications if infected.

• Press Briefing Transcripts: CDC Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): This document is the transcript and audio file of the May 5 press briefing by DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Acting CDC Director Dr. Richard Besser.

Recommendations include change in school dismissal guidance (see "Update on School (K – 12) and Childcare Facilities: Interim CDC Guidance in Response to Human Infections with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus," below), advice to parents regarding not sending sick children to school, reiterated advice for adults and children on personal protective behaviors (e.g., hand washing, staying home from work if sick).

• What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms: This document summarizes symptoms and recommended preventive behaviors for the general public. Recommendations include: contact avoidance, treatment options for the seriously ill, and how to recognize symptoms.
• Update on School (K – 12) and Childcare Facilities: Interim CDC Guidance in Response to Human Infections with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus: This document provides updated interim guidance for schools and childcare facilities regarding the prevention of the spread of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Recommendations include: to reduce spread of influenza in schools, focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying home when ill, and good cough and hand hygiene etiquette. Decisions about school closure should be at the discretion of local authorities based on local considerations, including public concern and the impact of school absenteeism and staffing shortages.

Updated Information

• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You: This document has changed to reflect the new name for the illness.
• Audio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for Novel H1N1 Flu: These PSAs have been updated to reflect the new name for the illness.
• Interim Guidance for Clinicians on Identifying and Caring for Patients with Swine-origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection: This document has changed as more ill persons have been identified and more epidemiologic and clinical information has been gathered. CDC recommends that testing be prioritized for those with severe respiratory illness and those at highest risk of complications from influenza, as reflected in this document.

Additional documents for health care providers, public health officials and the public are available. Information for the public is posted daily in both English and Spanish. Also, CDC’s toll-free hotline, 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, is available 24 hours a day, every day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people’s health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers, Public Information Officers, Laboratory Directors, Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinators, Epidemiologists and HAN Coordinators as well as Association and Clinician organizations

The HAN Info Service is utilized by the CDC's Health Alert Network to distribute general correspondence from CDC which is not necessarily considered to be of an emergent nature.