HHS Declares Public Health Emergency for Swine Flu

The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration in response to recent human infections with a newly discovered swine influenza A (swine flu) virus. The formal declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHE) is a tool that facilitates HHS preparation and mobilization for disasters and emergencies. For example, PHEs were recently declared for flooding in North Dakota, the Inauguration, and several 2008 hurricanes. The declaration, made under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, will help HHS prepare for prevention and mitigation activities by enabling Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorizations of drugs, devices, or medical tests under certain circumstances. Specifically, this PHE will enable the FDA to review and issue emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for the use of certain laboratory tests to help detect the newly discovered strain of influenza and for the emergency use of certain antivirals. HHS is taking these steps to be proactive in responding to this new influenza virus by offering national tools in support of community-led preparedness and response efforts, Acting HHS Secretary Charles Johnson said. The declaration allows us the flexibility, while we learn more about the virus and its impact in the United States, to take additional steps to fully mobilize our prevention, treatment and mitigation capabilities should those actions become necessary. In addition to the declaration, HHS leaders are working together across operating divisions to coordinate response to the swine flu outbreak. For example, the FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working together to develop a vaccine precursor that could be used to develop a vaccine for this swine flu virus. To date, there have been 20 confirmed cases of swine Influenza A (swH1N1) in California, Texas, Kansas, New York, and Ohio. No deaths in the U.S. have been reported due to the illness. Additional cases of the virus have been confirmed in Mexico and Canada. Public health officials within the United States and throughout the world are investigating outbreaks of swine influenza (swine flu). Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur. Public health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause illness. The outbreak is ongoing and additional cases are expected. For more information concerning swine flu infection, please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. For specific information on travel precautions and an update on the affected areas, please visit: www.cdc.gov/travel. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include: * Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C) * Sore throat * Cough * Stuffy nose * Chills * Headache and body aches * Fatigue Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. People entering the United States who are experiencing symptoms consistent with swine flu and have traveled to an affected area (see www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm for affected areas), or have been exposed to someone possibly infected with swine flu, during the last 7 days should report their illnesses to their health care provider immediately and inform them of their recent travel. People traveling from the United States to affected areas should be aware of the risk of illness with swine flu and take precautions. To prevent the spread of swine flu: * Avoid contact with ill persons. * When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (if you do not have a tissue). Throw used tissues in a trash can. * After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel. * If you think you are ill with flu, avoid close contact with others as much as possible. Stay at home or in your hotel room. Seek medical care if you are severely ill (such as having trouble breathing). There are antiviral medications for prevention and treatment of swine flu that a doctor can prescribe. Do not go to work, school, or travel while ill. For more information: * Contact your local or state health department * Visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ * Contact CDC 24 Hours/Every Day * 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) * TTY: (888) 232-6348 U.S. Customs and Border Protection is monitoring all information and guidance concerning the outbreak of swine flu. As of April 27, 2009, all U.S. ports of entry were open and operating as normal with officers using risk based border screening. CBP officers and Border Patrol agents are responding to guidance from health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are monitoring the health of incoming travelers and taking all appropriate precautions. CBP collaborates with CDC and local health officials to assess potential threats, including referring a person with symptoms to a CDC quarantine station or a local public health official for evaluation. CBP reminds U.S. citizens and those with plans to enter the United States from Mexico to monitor health information at the CDC Web site. U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection (As of April 28, 2009 11:00 AM ET) State # of lab cases California 10 cases Kansas 2 cases New York City 45 cases Ohio 1 case Texas 6 cases Total Count 64 cases International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional cases of confirmed swine influenza and a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients. Internationally, the situation is more serious too, with additional countries reporting confirmed cases of swine flu. In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause community-level outbreaks. The increase in the pandemic alert phase indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased. CDC has activated its emergency operations center to coordinate the agencys emergency response. CDC s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this swine influenza virus. CDC has issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. CDC continues to issue interim guidance daily on the website and through health alert network notices. CDCs Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.