This link has some useful information about swine flu

Dr. Mercola discusses swine flu

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/28/Swine-Flu.aspx

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Orange County Health Department - updated october 14, 2009

October14, 2009

Note: *To align our media updates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention schedule, we will send a media update each Wednesday noting any significant events that have taken place during the reporting period. Please note that following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, we will no longer be collecting numbers of confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu cases.

Orlando– The first initial shipments of H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine have arrived in Orange County. All of the doses are in the form of nasal mist and therefore are not suitable for pregnant women or individuals with underlying medical conditions. Healthy people 2 to 49 years of age are eligible for this type of nasal mist vaccine.

Most of the vaccine is being shipped directly to pediatricians and family doctors in the community who will be focusing on vaccinating children and young adults. As additional vaccine is received, it will become available at nearly 200 private health care providers across the county including: doctors’ offices, walk-in clinics, pharmacies, and other sites within the community. People who want to take advantage of vaccination opportunities should discuss any questions they have with their primary health care provider.

The priority groups, recommended by the Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention, to receive the H1N1 vaccine first include:

• Pregnant women
• Health care and emergency medical personnel
• People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months
• Anyone from 6 months to 24 years of age
• Anyone from 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza related complications

As vaccine supplies are more readily available, open and free public events will be held. This vaccination campaign will last over many weeks and months which is similar to seasonal flu programs. We will inform the public as events are scheduled later this year.

Media note: The health department will provide a photo op of the nasal mist tomorrow at 11am at the health department’s administrative offices at 6101 Lake Ellenor Drive, Orlando, 32809.

Health care providers who are interested in providing the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine are encouraged to visit the our Health Care Professional page for information on how to register to receive the vaccine.

This week, we are offering some tips for those who frequent or work at daycare and pre-school locations:

• Caregivers or persons who live with infants under 6 months old as well as children and young adults between the ages of 6 months to 24 years are encouraged to get the H1N1 vaccine. These populations are two of the five CDC target groups for the H1N1 vaccination.
• Children under 6 months old cannot receive the H1N1 vaccine.
• Workers should teach children and inform parents of the three basic methods of preventing the spread of the disease: 1) wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer, 2) use a tissue when sneezing or coughing, or use the bend of their arm, and 3) ask parents to keep children at home when they are sick at least until 24 hours after their fever has subsided without using medication.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is voluntary. While initial shipments are anticipated next week, they will be small and availability will be limited. Almost all of the initial doses will be in the form of the FluMist nasal spray version, which has some limits on who may use it. The FluMist version is not recommended for infants under 2, adults over 49, pregnant women or anyone with a range of underlying health problems. Some pediatricians prefer to use it with children who may fear needles, because it is easy to use.

The Florida Flu Information Line (1-877-352-3581) is an automated line that can answer general questions about H1N1. Callers also have the option to speak with an operator, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Fighting H1N1 swine flu is a three-step approach: 1) get a vaccination when it becomes available, 2) practice everyday prevention (including frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick), and 3) use antiviral drugs correctly if your health professional recommends them.

Health care providers, who want to partner with DOH to administer the H1N1 vaccine, should be referred to the Florida SHOTS system where they can pre-register on-line at: http://www.flshots.com.

For more information visit http://www.myflusafety.com or http://www.flu.gov.

Florida Flu Information Line 1-877-352-3581

On Monday, August 24th, Florida Department of Health launched a toll-free number to provide public health information and updates on H1N1 Swine flu. The information line is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, seven days a week. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole.

Additional laboratory confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu deaths have been verified in the following: a 41-year-old female in Alachua County, a 46-year-old female in Broward County, a 25-year-old male in Duval County, a 55-year-old female in Duval County, a 56-year-old female in Duval County, a 39-year-old male in Hillsborough County, a 47-year-old female in Hillsborough County, a 13-year-old female in Levy County, a 27-year-old female in Manatee County, a 39-year-old male in Pinellas County, and a 52-year-old male in Santa Rosa County. While most cases of H1N1 Swine Flu are mild, there are exceptions. Pre-existing health conditions often play a role in how individuals react to the flu. To-date, there have been 102 laboratory confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu deaths in Florida.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of these individuals, " said Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros. " H1N1 Swine Flu, like seasonal flu, can in some circumstances be very serious, therefore, all of us should continue to adhere to good health practices including, stay home if sick, cover cough and sneeze, and wash hands frequently."

The Department of Health continues its enhanced surveillance and outreach to physicians, hospitals, and other health care professionals. The surveillance system, consisting of sentinel physicians reporting influenza activity, DOH laboratories receiving specimens from physicians and hospitals, and our ability to monitor emergency room cases is fully operational. We have activated our response plan and are ready to respond if needed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) alert level is at Phase 6 "pandemic." The pandemic (WHO level 6) status is based on geographic distribution and not the severity of swine flu. In effect the WHO is saying that swine flu H1N1 is now circulating world-wide.

The State Surgeon General provided these recommendations:

People with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.

• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
• Cover your cough and sneeze.
• People with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.

People experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.

If you think you have influenza, please call your health care provider and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office, emergency department or stay home.