NO cases of Swine Flu in Brazoria County
Author: nimdaroot :: Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:52 pm In an effort to keep each of you informed on the latest developments with Swine Influenza, we will be providing frequent information updates: There are currently NO cases of Swine Flu in Brazoria County. The hospitals and schools are continuing surveillance efforts and reporting to the Brazoria County Health Department. Current efforts to control the Swine Flu outbreak focus on PREVENTION: 1. Cough into tissue, sleeve or elbow. 2. Perform diligent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based handrubs. 3. Instruct visitors and patients in Hand Hygiene. 4. Don't come to work if you are ill (2 or more S/S: fever, sore throat, coughing, nausea/vomiting) 5. Use clorox wipes or 10% bleach solution to clean surfaces at home (bathrooms, telephones, etc.) (NOTE: if you mix your own bleach solution, you need to remix it every 24 hours); Lysol is effective as well. As of April 29 at 11:00 a.m. EST, there were 91 human cases of Swine Influenza in the US, with 1 death in Texas of a 23 month old baby. The breakdown of cases is as follows: Arizona-1, California-14, Indiana-1, Kansas-2, Massachusetts-2, Michigan-2, Nevada-1, NYC-51, Ohio-1, and Texas-16. * Worldwide, there are 148 cases in nine countries according to the latest update available from the World Health Organization. The worldwide breakdown is: Austria-1, Canada-13, Germany-3, Israel-2, Mexico-117, New Zealand-3, Spain-4, and the United Kingdom-5. * The World Health Organization raised the phase for pandemic alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5. This phase is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. An explanation and chart of World Health Organization alert phases can be found here: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html * The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients as of April 29. The new guidelines are available for download on the APIC website by clicking on the following link http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidelines_infection_control.htm. A summary is as follows: o To prevent the transmission of all respiratory infections in healthcare settings, including swine influenza A (H1N1), respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette infection control measures should be implemented at the first point of contact with a potentially infected person. o Any patients who are confirmed, probable, or suspected cases and present for care at a healthcare facility should be placed directly into closed rooms. o Procedures that are likely to generate aerosols should be done in a location with negative pressure air handling whenever feasible. o Procedures for transport of patients in isolation precautions should be followed. o Healthcare personnel entering the room of a patient in isolation should be limited to those performing direct patient care. o Standard and Contact precautions plus eye protection should be used for all patients being evaluated or in isolation for swine influenza A (H1N1). o Maintain adherence to hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after removing gloves and other personal protective equipment and after any contact with respiratory secretions. o CDC recommends that all healthcare personnel who enter the rooms of patients in isolation for swine influenza wear a fit-tested disposable N95 respirator or equivalent. o Limit visitors to patients in isolation for swine influenza A (H1N1) infection to persons who are necessary for the patient’s emotional well-being and care. o Isolation precautions should be continued for seven (7) days from symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer. o In communities where swine influenza A (H1N1) virus transmission is occurring, healthcare personnel should be monitored daily for signs and symptoms of febrile respiratory illness. They should not report to work with signs of febrile illness. o Facilities should implement plans to ensure appropriate allocation of PPE including N95 respirators and antiviral medication. o Routine disinfection strategies used during influenza seasons can be applied to the environmental management of swine influenza. (1) Replies Click To Reply

NO cases of Swine Flu in Brazoria County

Author: nimdaroot :: Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:52 pm

In an effort to keep each of you informed on the latest developments with Swine Influenza, we will be providing frequent information updates:

There are currently NO cases of Swine Flu in Brazoria County. The hospitals and schools are continuing surveillance efforts and reporting to the Brazoria County Health Department. Current efforts to control the Swine Flu outbreak focus on PREVENTION:

1. Cough into tissue, sleeve or elbow.
2. Perform diligent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based handrubs.
3. Instruct visitors and patients in Hand Hygiene.
4. Don't come to work if you are ill (2 or more S/S: fever, sore throat, coughing, nausea/vomiting)
5. Use clorox wipes or 10% bleach solution to clean surfaces at home (bathrooms, telephones, etc.) (*NOTE: if you mix your own bleach solution, you need to remix it every 24 hours); Lysol is effective as well.

* As of April 29 at 11:00 a.m. EST, there were 91 human cases of Swine Influenza in the US, with 1 death in Texas of a 23 month old baby. The breakdown of cases is as follows: Arizona-1, California-14, Indiana-1, Kansas-2, Massachusetts-2, Michigan-2, Nevada-1, NYC-51, Ohio-1, and Texas-16.

* Worldwide, there are 148 cases in nine countries according to the latest update available from the World Health Organization. The worldwide breakdown is: Austria-1, Canada-13, Germany-3, Israel-2, Mexico-117, New Zealand-3, Spain-4, and the United Kingdom-5.

* The World Health Organization raised the phase for pandemic alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5. This phase is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. An explanation and chart of World Health Organization alert phases can be found here: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html

* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients as of April 29. The new guidelines are available for download on the APIC website by clicking on the following link http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidelines_infection_control.htm.
A summary is as follows:
o To prevent the transmission of all respiratory infections in healthcare settings, including swine influenza A (H1N1), respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette infection control measures should be implemented at the first point of contact with a potentially infected person.
o Any patients who are confirmed, probable, or suspected cases and present for care at a healthcare facility should be placed directly into closed rooms.
o Procedures that are likely to generate aerosols should be done in a location with negative pressure air handling whenever feasible.
o Procedures for transport of patients in isolation precautions should be followed.
o Healthcare personnel entering the room of a patient in isolation should be limited to those performing direct patient care.
o Standard and Contact precautions plus eye protection should be used for all patients being evaluated or in isolation for swine influenza A (H1N1).
o Maintain adherence to hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after removing gloves and other personal protective equipment and after any contact with respiratory secretions.
o CDC recommends that all healthcare personnel who enter the rooms of patients in isolation for swine influenza wear a fit-tested disposable N95 respirator or equivalent.
o Limit visitors to patients in isolation for swine influenza A (H1N1) infection to persons who are necessary for the patient’s emotional well-being and care.
o Isolation precautions should be continued for seven (7) days from symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer.
o In communities where swine influenza A (H1N1) virus transmission is occurring, healthcare personnel should be monitored daily for signs and symptoms of febrile respiratory illness. They should not report to work with signs of febrile illness.
o Facilities should implement plans to ensure appropriate allocation of PPE including N95 respirators and antiviral medication.
o Routine disinfection strategies used during influenza seasons can be applied to the environmental management of swine influenza.