CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Info Service Message: New and Updated CDC Guidance and Informational Resources Related to Novel H1N1 Flu

Distributed via the HAN Info Service
May 8, 2009, 16:30 EDT (4:30 PM EDT)
HANINFO-0290-05-08-09-N

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues its response to the novel H1N1 Flu outbreak. As of May 8, 1,639 human infections with novel H1N1 flu have been confirmed in 42 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. There have been two confirmed deaths in the United States associated with the H1N1 virus to date. CDC expects that this outbreak will continue to grow and that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths will occur over the coming days and weeks.

CDC's goals continue to be to reduce the spread and illness severity and provide information to assist health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency. To this end, CDC continues to develop and update interim guidance documents and information for the public.

New Postings:

• H1N1 Flu Resources for Partners in Business: This site lists CDC resources, including guidance documents, podcasts and other resources for businesses to use in helping prevent the further spread of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.
• UPDATED – H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You: This is an updated fact sheet. It now includes CDC’s recommendation against "swine flu parties."
• Preparing Tribal Nations to Receive Strategic National Stockpile Assets: This brochure provides advice to American Indian ⁄ Alaska Native governments and communities on working with state and local partners and the Indian Health Service to plan how to request, receive and give out supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile during a public health emergency.
• MMWR: Update: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections - Worldwide, May 6, 2009: This joint report from the Mexican Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization, the World Health Organization, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and CDC provides an update of the initial investigations and spread of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus worldwide.
• Things You Can Do to Stay Away from the Flu: This CDC podcast discusses things children can do to help prevent infection with any infectious disease, including novel H1N1 flu.

Additional documents for health care providers, public health officials and the public are available. Information for the public is posted daily in both English and Spanish. Also, CDC’s toll-free hotline, 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, is available 24 hours a day, every day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people’s health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers, Public Information Officers, Laboratory Directors, Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinators, Epidemiologists and HAN Coordinators as well as Association and Clinician organizations

The HAN Info Service is utilized by the CDC's Health Alert Network to distribute general correspondence from CDC which is not necessarily considered to be of an emergent nature.