CARROLL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

H1N1 FLU UPDATE

11 August 2009

 

NATIONAL:  As of 7 August 2009, 6,506 novel influenza A (H1N1) hospitalizations and 436 deaths have been reported to CDC by state and local health departments.  H1N1 activity across the nation continues to decline.  There has been no evidence to date that the virulence of the virus has increased.

 

CDC, on 5 August 2009, revised its recommendations for the general exclusion period, i. e., how long people with flu-like illness should stay at home and away from other people to prevents its spread.

 

·       CDC now recommends that those with flu-like illness stay home until at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, without using fever reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (a fever is defined as having a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater).

·       This new recommendation applies to camps, SCHOOLS, businesses and other community settings where most people are not at high risk for flu complications.

·       These recommendations DO NOT apply to healthcare settings.  The recommendations for healthcare remain at 7 days after symptoms began or until all symptoms are gone, whichever is longer.

 

Exclusion period for schools:

 

·       For a mild flu (as is circulating now) – Students with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications and regardless of whether or not they are taking antiviral drugs.

·       For a more severe flu – Students with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 7 days after illness onset, even if they have no more symptoms.  Students who are still sick after 7 days should stay home for at least 24 hours after all symptoms are gone.

 

(Note:  priority groups for vaccination listed on 4 August Update)

 

MARYLAND:  The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has reported Maryland’s 5th death associated with the novel H1N1 pandemic.  The latest report involves an adult from the Washington suburbs who had underlying medical conditions.  There have been 230 hospitalizations

 

CARROLL COUNTY:  Carroll County Health Departments: SEASONAL 2009 Flu and Pneumonia Clinic Schedule:

 

2009 FLU AND PNEUMONIA CLINIC SCHEDULE

 

The Carroll County Health Department will be offering Flu and Pneumonia vaccine to persons AGE 18 and OVER on the following dates and times.

 

Friday, September 18, 2009 

9:00 – 4:00

Carroll County Health Dept.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

9:00 – 4:00

Carroll County Health Dept.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

10:00 – 3:00

Carroll County Ag. Center Sr. Expo.

 

 

 

Children’s Clinic – Ages 4-17         Intramuscular Injection Only

Thursday, September 24, 2009

4:00 – 7:00 pm

Carroll County Health Dept.

 

CHARGES:  Flu Vaccine - $20.00 for all persons not eligible for Medicare Part B.  **Medicare will be billed for Medicare Part B participants who present their Medicare card and are not enrolled in a Medicare HMO.  Payment by Cash and Check only.

 

Pneumonia Vaccine - $50.00 for all persons under 65 who have a doctor’s order.  Medicare will be billed for eligible persons age 65 and older.

For Further Information Call 410-876-3003

 

OTHER NOTES:

·       Vaccine Distribution: The CDC’s private vaccine distributor (McKesson) may begin shipping H1N1 vaccine beginning the 3rd week of September, about three weeks earlier than previously announced.  Details to follow.

·       On 10 August CCHD sent 86 letters to the “front line” physician community in Carroll County inquiring whether they plan on administering H1N1 vaccinations in their private offices and if so, to establish a communication channel with CCHD.  The responses will give CCHD a gauge as to how much help it can expect from the private sector in the mass vaccination campaign.

 

CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A CARROLL COUNTY RESPONSE:

 

Those actions listed in the 4 August 2009 report are still in effect.