H1 N1 Update 10/9/09

H1N1(A) Influenza – South Dakota Department of Health Weekly Backgrounder
Friday, October 9, 2009 – as of 10 a.m. (Central)

Provided every Friday to update partners about H1N1 flu preparedness and prevention and archived at http://doh.sd.gov/H1N1/.

General Information
H1N1(A) continues to present as moderate illness
Pregnant women, young children, those with chronic health conditions most at risk; elderly less affected, may have immunity due to previous exposure to similar viruses
CDC H1N1 website – http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

SD Case Information (updated every Friday at http://doh.sd.gov/H1N1/surveillance.aspx
For the week ending Oct. 3, SD’s flu activity increased to “widespread”:128 new H1N1 cases, 4 hospitalizations, 2 deaths (1 death occurred between 4 Oct 09 – 9 Oct 09) (cumulative since 9/1: 333 cases, 29 hospitalizations, 1 deaths) (40 counties)
4% of school children absent due to illness (244 schools reporting data, 81,098 total students)
73% of confirmed cases & 49% of hospitalizations are younger than 19

Nationally, as of Oct 6, 27 states reported widespread influenza activity and influenza-like illness (visits to doctors) were above baseline for 7th consecutive week. This level of activity is very unusual for October.

New Guidance & Resources from the Centers for Disease Control
H1N1 Vaccine Information Statements: Inactivated Vaccine Live, Intranasal Vaccine
Questions and Answers about 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Seniors
Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Q & A (Should I get H1N1 vaccine if I’ve had flu-like illness since spring?)
H1N1 & Pregnant Women: Information for Healthcare Providers Q & A for Patients (Why should pregnant women receive H1N1 vaccine?)

Vaccine Information
SD received first doses (5,000 FluMist) Oct 5 & shipped out to hospitals to start vaccinating health care workers with direct patient contact. This week ordered second allocation of vaccine, 4,500 doses of nasal mist and 5,300 doses of injectable
CDC expects almost 6 million doses of H1N1 vaccine to be allocated & available for order this week, an increase of 2.3 million over original forecast.
Dept. will continue to order every allocation of H1N1 vaccine made available to SD; expect to receive more doses each week.
Goal – distribute vaccine as soon as it comes in to start protecting people as soon as possible. First few weeks will be bumpy but situation will get easier as vaccine amounts increase. Significant amounts of vaccine expected by end of month – be patient.

Initial doses targeted to groups at highest risk for H1N1:
First Tier (Oct – Nov)
-Pregnant women
-People who live with or care forinfants younger than 6 mos
-Kids 6 mos to 4 years
-Kids 5-18 years with chronic health conditions
-Health care and emergency medical services workers

Second Tier (Nov-Dec)
-Kids 5-18
-Adults 15-64 with chronic health conditions
-Young adults 19-24

As more vaccine available, it will be administered beyond priority groups
Federal govt will purchase vaccine, supplies to administer it and distribute to states
Vaccination is voluntary
Vaccine is free but some providers may charge an administration fee
Seasonal flu vaccine should be given as soon as available to appropriate target groups; SD reported 525 hospitalizations for seasonal flu last year and 4 deaths