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Pandemic Is Declared
On June 11, 2009, the
World Health Organization
(WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of
novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by
raising the worldwide pandemic alert
level to
Phase 6.
This action was a reflection of the
spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the
severity of illness caused by the virus.
At the time, more than 70 countries had
reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and
there were ongoing community level
outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple
parts of the world.
Since the WHO
declaration of a
pandemic, the new
H1N1 virus has
continued to spread,
with the number of
countries reporting
cases of novel H1N1
nearly doubling. The
Southern
Hemisphere’s regular
influenza season has
begun and countries
there are
reporting that the new H1N1 virus
is spreading and
causing illness
along with regular
seasonal influenza
viruses. In the
United States,
significant novel
H1N1 illness has
continued into the
summer, with
localized and in
some cases intense
outbreaks occurring.
The United States
continues to report
the largest number
of novel H1N1 cases
of any country
worldwide, however,
most
people who have become ill have
recovered without
requiring medical
treatment.
Given ongoing novel H1N1 activity to
date, CDC anticipates that there will be
more cases, more hospitalizations and
more deaths associated with this
pandemic in the United States over the
summer and into the fall and winter. The
novel H1N1 virus, in conjunction with
regular seasonal influenza viruses,
poses the potential to cause significant
illness with associated hospitalizations
and deaths during the U.S. influenza
season.
A Virus Emerges
 Novel
influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of
swine origin that first caused illness
in Mexico and the United States in March
and April, 2009. It’s thought that novel
influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the
same way that regular seasonal influenza
viruses spread, mainly through the
coughs and sneezes of people who are
sick with the virus, but it may also be
spread by touching infected objects and
then touching your nose or mouth. Novel
H1N1 infection has been reported to
cause a wide range of flu-like symptoms,
including fever, cough, sore throat,
body aches, headache, chills and
fatigue. In addition, many people also
have reported nausea, vomiting and/or
diarrhea.
The first novel H1N1 patient in the
United States was confirmed by
laboratory testing at CDC on April 15,
2009. The second patient was confirmed
on April 17, 2009. It was quickly
determined that the virus was spreading
from person-to-person. On April 22, CDC
activated its Emergency Operations
Center to better coordinate the public
health response. On April 26, 2009, the
United States Government declared a
public health emergency and has been
actively and aggressively implementing
the nation’s pandemic response plan
By June 19, 2009, all 50 states in the
United States, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
have reported novel H1N1 infection.
While nationwide U.S. influenza
surveillance systems indicate that
overall influenza activity is
decreasing in the country at this
time, novel H1N1 outbreaks are ongoing
in parts of the U.S., in some cases with
intense activity.
CDC is continuing to watch the situation
carefully, to support the public health
response and to gather information about
this virus and its characteristics. The
Southern Hemisphere is just beginning
its influenza season and the experience
there may provide valuable clues about
what may occur in the Northern
Hemisphere this fall and winter.
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H1N1 Press Releases
(Archive) |
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Press Release December 2nd, 2009
Press Release November 18th, 2009
Press Release November 18th, 2009
Press Release November 7th, 2009
Press Release October 27th, 2009
Press Release October 23th, 2009
Press Release October 23th, 2009
Press Release October 19th, 2009
Press Releease October 13th 2009
Press Release October 13th 2009
Press Release October 13th 2009
Press Release October 2, 2009
Press Release October 2, 2009
Press
Release October 2, 2009
Press Release
September 4, 2009
Press Release August 29,2009
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H1N1 Information for Infants
and Toddlers |
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TamiFlu Dosage for children less than one
year old
Flu Comic Book For Families
Advice for
Parents
Facts for a Healthy Family
Cover It, Wash Them, Stay Home
School Flu Toolkit
What if School Was Canceled?
What to do When the Flu is in Your House
Infants, Young
Children and the Flu
CDC Guide for
Child Care
Child Care
Checklist
Family Checklist
Family Preparedness
Reaching Out To
Moms
Advice for Kids
MP3
Wash Your Hands MP3
Halloween Etiquette
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H1N1 Influenza Pandemic and the LaPorte
County Health Department
Laporte County Response
Group:
Michigan City Mayor
LaPorte Mayor
LaPorte County Health Department
LaPorte County Sheriff Department
Michigan City Police Department
LaPorte Police Department
Michigan City Fire Department
LaPorte Fire Department
Michigan City Emergency Management
LaPorte County Emergency
Management/Homeland Security
LaPorte County Emergency Medical Services
St. Anthony Memorial
LaPorte Hospital
LaPorte County Chapter American Red Cross
LaPorte County Healthy Communities
LaPorte County Commissioners
LaPorte County Council
Michigan City Area Schools
LaPorte County Schools
Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater LaPorte Chamber of Commerce
Volunteers Needed:
We have been preparing for the
eventuality of a global pandemic. As you
know, that time is now upon us. The
LaPorte County Health Department still
needs volunteers who will assist in our
emergency response efforts.
For the last several years, experts
around the world have been monitoring
the emerging influenza strains and their
potential to spark a worldwide outbreak
of influenza. On April 25, 2009, the
World Health Organization declared a
“Public Health Emergency of
International Concern.” The next day,
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary
declared a “National Public Health
Emergency.” On June 11, 2009, the World
Health Organization raised the influenza
pandemic alert to Phase 6 – global
pandemic underway.
This is the first time nations have
had the opportunity to prepare in
advance for the eventuality of a
pandemic. However, throughout the
planning and stockpiling for this
eventuality, a recurring concern has
been that no nation will have adequate
resources to respond without the
assistance of volunteers. No nation has
built a medical infrastructure or
manufacturing capacity to respond to a
disease outbreak that can sicken one
third of the population at any given
time during the pandemic.
Our emergency response partners agree
unanimously that without the help of
volunteers, our efforts and response
will be in serious jeopardy.
Health care providers are vital to
the success of the H1N1 Vaccine
Campaign. But there are many capacities
in which you can be an active
participant in protecting the residents
of LaPorte County during a pandemic
whether you are a health care provider
or not; some examples of non-health care
tasks include:
·
Perform
basic office and clerical tasks
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Join the
program management team and aid in
everyday volunteer corps management
tasks
·
Assist in
managing facility needs and resources
·
Provide
crowd and traffic control; escort and
secure assets and staff
·
Provide
basic first aid to staff, personnel and
the public
·
Hand out
and collect patient intake forms,
provide guidance in filling them out
·
Literally
greet the public as they arrive at the
Point of Dispensing
We understand that our citizens are
busy and have daily stresses and
commitments…but we also understand that
there is a fire and a passion within
each of you to rise above your own
struggles and help your neighbors. We
depend on the assistance of citizen
volunteers to complete our public health
mission, and it is the commitment of
citizen volunteers that will serve to
save our communities faced with
disasters and public health emergencies.
Janet Napolitano, Secretary of
Homeland Security, said, “The more
Americans who perform public service,
the more we improve our shared destiny
as a country, and the more people
discover the strong personal reward in
public service – the satisfaction gained
from serving something larger than
yourself.”
Thank you for stepping forward to
assist with the most challenging event
we have ever faced. We understand the
concerns and fears that may come with
making this commitment. As Health
Officer for LaPorte County, I want to
take this opportunity to assure you that
every step will be taken to protect you
as we stand together to protect our
community.
Charles Janovsky, Health Officer
“It is one of the
most beautiful compensations of life,
that no man can sincerely try to help
another without helping himself.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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