CARROLL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

H1N1 (SWINE) FLU UPDATE

19 OCTOBER 2009

 

GLOBAL:  The World Health Organization reports, as of 11 October 2009,          , at least 400,000 cases of laboratory confirmed H1N1 virus with at least 4735        worldwide deaths.

 

WHO’s Global Pandemic Phase remains at SIX (the highest).  Measures spread, not severity.

 

NATIONAL:  H1N1 influenza activity continues to increase.  Doctors’ visits are higher than levels expected for this time of the year; hospitalization rates are higher than expected for this time of year; and the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza now exceeds what is normally expected this time of year.

 

There continues to be no evidence that the H1N1 virus has mutated to cause any more serious morbidity and mortality than it has since April.

 

MARYLAND:  On October 13, Maryland reported its tenth death related to the H1N1 influenza.  This latest report involves an adult with serious underlying medical conditions from Western Maryland.  Influenza activity in the State remains WIDESPREAD (the highest rating).  Maryland shares this rating with 39 other states, up thirteen states from two weeks ago.

 

CARROLL COUNTY:  Carroll Hospital Center patient tested positive for H1N1; admitted 26 September, discharged 28 September.  However, most patients presenting in the Emergency Department for influenza have mild disease and are being sent home.

 

 

 

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:

 

Upcoming H1N1 vaccination Clinics:

 

·        H1N1 Vaccination Clinic FOR PREGNANT WOMEN ONLY  (who are CDC’s top priority group)

                 When:  Wednesday, October 21st from 4 to 7 pm

                              Tuesday, October 27th from 3 – 7 pm

                 Where:  Carroll County Health Department

                               290 South Center Street

                               Westminster, Maryland 21157

             This clinic is a cooperative venture between Carroll Hospital Center and  

             the Carroll County Health Department.  County Obstetricians are being 

             informed to send their pregnant patients to these clinics for H1N1

             vaccination if they do not intend to offer the vaccine in their offices.

 

 

Vaccine Ordering and Distribution:  As of October 13, DHMH has placed orders for 131,200 doses of vaccine to be shipped to 327 sites.  1723 sites have actually requested vaccine through DHMH and 3,332 sites have preregistered with DHMH to receive vaccine.  Vaccine manufacturers are having a difficult time delivering vaccine.  So far, shipments to providers have been unexpectedly small.