Please click here to view my video on H1N1 Influenza Information

H1N1 Virus Information & Updates

from the Department of Health and Human Services 

- The H1N1 flu is still widespread with 32 states having seen widespread flu activity, but these numbers are declining in some locations and are down from previous weeks. It cannot be predicted whether there will be additional waves of illness, how many waves there might be, or whether they will be primarily H1N1 or seasonal flu. Flu season is expected to last through May.

-  More than 66 million doses of H1N1 vaccine have been allocated to states as of the end of November and more than 94 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine have been distributed.  The gap between demand and supply is narrowing, but in some parts of the country, we have not closed the gap yet. However, progress is being made in the vaccination campaign, and more vaccine is being allocated, ordered, shipped, and used each day.

- So far we are continuing to see that children and young adults are disproportionately affected, and elderly persons are less likely to come down with illness from the H1N1 virus.

- The severity of the virus has not changed at this point and clinical disease we are seeing continues to be a range, with most people getting better with a few days of rest at home, but some people having severe illness leading to difficult hospitalizations and unfortunately, death.

- Seasonal influenza viruses may cause illness concurrently with 2009 H1N1viruses this fall and winter.

-CDC has updated its recommendations to assist businesses and other employers of all sizes. Please see the resources section below for flu preparation toolkits for your business. 

To learn more, and for the most up-to-date information and tips, please visit the CDC or Flu.gov, and visit our 'Additional Resources' section below. 

To find the current number of cases in California, visit the California Department of Public Health website: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/.   The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. 

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

•  Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If you feel well:  Healthy residents living in areas where cases are being confirmed should take everyday preventive actions.

If you are ill: Individuals who are sick with influenza-like illness (fever and one or two of the following: cough, sore throat, runny nose) are reminded to take standard measures to limit spread of disease such as frequent hand washing, covering their cough and avoiding going to work, school or other settings where they could infect others. Individuals should consult with their primary medical provider if their symptoms are not being managed effectively with over-the-counter medications or if they have other medical conditions such as pregnancy or chronic illness. If you become ill within seven (7) days of having traveled to Mexico, or locations in the United States and Canada where confirmed cases have occurred, you should take all of the above measures and consult with your primary care physician to determine if you need testing or treatment.

If you become ill at work: As is generally recommended, individuals who note the onset of influenza-like illness while at work should take measures to prevent the spread of disease such as leaving work in order to limit the potential exposure to others, cover their coughs and reinforce hand hygiene.

Additional Resources:

Please find below informative fact sheet, toolkits, hand-outs, and website links that will provide valuable information about the H1N1 virus to members of our community. 

For Parents:

Five Things Parents Need to Know About H1N1 Flu  

Tri-Fold Fact Handout for Parents, go here.

For Employers: 

Five Things Employers Need to Know About H1N1 Flu  

Preparing for the Flu: A Toolkit for Businesses and Employers

Preparing for the Flu: A Toolkit for Small Businesses

For Schools:

Five Things Schools Need to Know About H1N1 Flu

Preparing for the Flu: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools

Preparing for the Flu: A Toolkit for Institutions of Higher Learning

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

FAQ English  Key facts about swine influenza A (H1N1)

FAQ Spanish Key facts in Spanish about swine influenza A (H1N1)

Sign Up for Email Updates from the CDC

Summary of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Investigation and Recommendations

General Information About Swine Influenza A (H1N1)

Guidance for Taking Care of a Person with Swine Influenza A (H1N1) in Your Home

Swine Flu Video Podcast (April 25, 2009) In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee, with the CDC Influenza Division, describes swine influenza A (H1N1) - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Information on this page tracks the evolving situation and provides access to both technical guidelines and information useful for the general public...More