ARA

Health Alerts

HOW YOU CAN STOP THE SPREAD OF FLU
Communicate These Simple Steps with Your Employees and Customers 

Flu1) Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve or tissue,
    not your bare hand. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
2) Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
    Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
3) Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose with your hands.
4) Stay six feet away from anyone who is sick.
5) Regularly clean and disinfect publicly used surfaces.
6) If you are sick, stay home. Do not go to an emergency room or show up at your physician's office unannounced. Call your doctor first to make arrangements.

 

Between July 2009 and March 31, 2010, there have been 48 known influenza-associated deaths in Alabama. Regular seasonal influenza continues to circulate with the novel H1N1 influenza. The above steps are the best defense against the spread of influenza. The 2009 H1N1 flu was active during warmer months last year and the possibility still exists that there can be significant spread of this strain. ARA will post updates here as they occur.  Page last updated 11:10 a.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2010.

H1N1 LINKS

 
 

 

H1N1 BULLETINS
FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
News stories related to the swine flu can be found
under Health in the In the News section of this Web site 

Friday, April 2, 2010

Monday, March 29, 2010

Southeastern United States sees increase in H1N1 flu activity 

Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009

H1N1 vaccine recall should not affect Alabamians who have received vaccine 

Monday, Dec. 21, 2009

H1N1 influenza vaccination is expanded to the general public

Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009

ADPH's H1N1 InFLUmation newsletter, including information on the revamped H1N1 vaccine order system 

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009

Recalled H1N1 influenza vaccine lots being returned 

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE:  ADPH has canceled all pending orders of H1N1 vaccine effective Monday, Dec. 14.  In addition, all providers who have received vaccine must report their remaining inventory on hand by Friday, Dec. 18. Providers who desire additional vaccine will need to place a fresh order. ORDER NOW! 

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009

School-based H1N1 influenza clinics to begin for K-3 students

Monday, Nov. 9, 2009

More groups of Alabamians can now receive novel H1N1 influenza vaccine

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement for seasonal influenza and H1N1 vaccines 

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

High-risk individuals in Alabama offered H1N1 influenza vaccine 

Saturday, Oct 24, 2009

President declares 2009 H1NI pandemic is a national emergency 

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

Limited vaccine shipping has begun primarily to hospital pharmacies and other priority groups. Roll out will be slow. The Alabama Department of Public Health will only get a weekly amount based on priority groups and population. Community pharmacies will most likely start getting vaccine injections around November to December time frame. Flu mist also is available. A back order system will be in place and requesting pharmacies and doctor's offices will be shipped vaccine when available. Pharmacists can still order antivirals for those without insurance to be shipped now. There is a limited amount of suspension available, and it is going fast.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

Cherokee County death linked to 2009 H1N1 influenza 

Friday, Oct. 9, 2009

First H1N1 influenza nasal mist vaccine shipments arrive in Alabama 

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

Health Dept. news conference 

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009

Mobile death linked to 2009 H1N1 influenza

Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

Thursday,  Oct. 1, 2009

Three additional Alabama deaths linked to 2009 H1N1 influenza

Monday, Sept. 28, 2009

Influenza-like illnesses remain widespread in Alabama

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009

Bullock and Macon deaths bring H1NI deaths in Alabama to 7 

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009

2009 H1N1 influenza is widespread in Alabama 

Monday, August 31, 2009

Second Alabama child dies from novel H1N1 influenza 

Friday, August 21, 2009

Public Health makes recommendations regarding novel H1N1 influenza

Friday, August 7, 2009

Safeguard your children for the coming influenza season

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Amount of time those with influenza-like illness should be away from others 

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

First Confirmed Novel H1N1 Influenza Death 

Thurday, June 4, 2009

First novel H1N1 influenza case confirmed in Autauga County 

Friday, May 29, 2009

First novel H1N1 influenza cases confirmed in Baldwin, Colbert and Dale counties 

Thursday, May 21, 2009 

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 (11 a.m.)

Updated Key Points for Novel H1N1 Flu  

Thursday, May 14, 2009 (6:41 p.m.)

First novel H1N1 cases identified in Etowah and Mobile counties

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 (5:20 p.m.)

Nine new cases of novel H1N1 influenza identified

Tuesday, May 12, 2009 (2:55 p.m.)

CDC certifies Alabama's public health laboratory for novel H1N1 influenza confirmation testing

Friday, May 8, 2009 (1:20 p.m.)
Additional probable Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) cases identified

Thursday, May 7, 2009  (2:40 p.m.)

One additional probable Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) case identified 

Wednesday, May 6, 2009 

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Alabama adopts CDC guidelines for schools regarding H1N1 (swine) flu

Monday, May 4, 2009 

Saturday, May 2, 2009  (4:30 p.m.)

Alabama Reports Five Additional Probable Cases and First Confirmed Case of H1N1 (Swine) Flu 

Thursday, April 30, 2009 

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Drug Susceptibility of Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Viruses 

Monday, April 27, 2009 (1:16 p.m.)

Latest CDC report: includes update to 40 U.S. cases (none in Alabama), declaration of nationwide public health emergency and travel advisories.

Sunday, April 26, 2009 (10:53 a.m.)

Pharmacists are asked to report unusual flu symptoms to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Pharmacists may be among the first healthcare personnel to see patients with flu symptoms. YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT.

Please report suspected cases of flu to the Health Department's toll-free number: 1-800-338-8374

Refresh your knowledge about the flu at:

>> Interim Guidance on Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed
or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Close Contacts  

And remember:

  • Wash your hands often.
  • Use good cough etiquette.
  • Make sure your personal preparedness plans and kits are up-to-date.

Sunday, April 26, 2009 (7:11 a.m.)

An official CDC Health Advisory Distributed via Health Alert Network
April 25, 2009, 3:00 EST (03:00 PM EDT)
CDCHAN-000281-2009-04-25-ALT-N

Investigation and Interim Recommendations: Swine Influenza (H1N1)        

CDC, in collaboration with public health officials in California and Texas, is investigating cases of febrile respiratory illness caused by swine influenza (H1N1) viruses.  As of 11 AM (EDT) April 25, 2009,  8 laboratory confirmed cases of Swine Influenza infection have been confirmed in the United States.  Four cases have been reported in San Diego County, California.  Two cases have been reported in Imperial County California.  Two cases have been reported in Guadalupe County, Texas.  Of the 8 persons with available data, illness onsets occurred March 28-April 14, 2009.  Age range was 7-54 y.o. Cases are 63% male.    

The viruses contain a unique combination of gene segments that have not been reported previously among swine or human influenza viruses in the U.S. or elsewhere. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment of infection with swine influenza viruses.  The H1N1 viruses are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine but not to oseltamivir or zanamivir. It is not anticipated that the seasonal influenza vaccine will provide protection against the swine flu H1N1 viruses.  

CDC has also been working closely with public health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO).  Mexican public health authorities have reported increased levels of respiratory disease, including reports of severe pneumonia cases and deaths, in recent weeks. CDC is assisting public health authorities in Mexico by testing specimens and providing epidemiological support.  As of 11:00 AM (EDT) April 25, 2009, 7 specimens from Mexico at CDC have tested positive for the same strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) as identified in U.S. cases.  However, no clear data are available to assess the link between the increased disease reports in Mexico and the confirmation of swine influenza in a small number of specimens.  WHO is monitoring international cases.

>> Further information on international cases

Clinicians should consider swine influenza infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with febrile respiratory illness and who 1) live in San Diego or Imperial counties, California, or Guadalupe County, Texas, or traveled to these counties or 2) who traveled recently to Mexico or were in contact with persons who had febrile respiratory illness and were in one of the three U.S. counties or Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset.

Patients who meet these criteria should be tested for influenza, and specimens positive for influenza should be sent to public health laboratories for further characterization. Clinicians who suspect swine influenza virus infections in humans should obtain a nasopharyngeal swab from the patient, place the swab in a viral transport medium, refrigerate the specimen, and then contact their state or local health department to facilitate transport and timely diagnosis at a state public health laboratory. CDC requests that state public health laboratories promptly send all influenza A specimens that cannot be subtyped to the CDC, Influenza Division, Virus Surveillance and Diagnostics Branch Laboratory.

Persons with febrile respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections (including influenza and other respiratory illnesses) to others in their communities. In addition, frequent hand washing can lessen the spread of respiratory illness.

CDC has not recommended that people avoid travel to affected areas at this time.

>> More information

Additional information is also available by calling
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) 

Friday, April 24, 2009 

  • Human cases of a novel swine influenza virus have occurred in California and Texas.  
  • All cases were reported to have recovered.  Occasionally, human cases of swine influenza virus can be severe.
  • Not all cases were epidemiologically linked, raising questions about where and how the infections were contracted.
  • Persons traveling into the state (such as to Talladega) who present with two of three respiratory symptoms (runny nose/nasal congestion, cough, sore throat) with or without fever AND who have possible exposure by residence, swine-related occupation, or contact to known swine influenza virus cases should seek medical evaluation and undergo laboratory testing to determine if they have swine influenza virus infection.
  • In human cases of swine influenza virus infection, routine testing for influenza will result in detecting type A influenza that cannot be further characterized by the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories. The Bureau will forward such specimens to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should any be discovered.
  • Pharmacy staff should view the CDC Web site linked here to update themselves about swine flu recommendations.

>> CDC H1N1 2009 Investigation Update Web page
(All new guidance will be posted here)