Find links, FAQs and a guide paper that outlines the steps apartment firms can take to prepare for a possible pandemic flu outbreak:
What You Need to Know about Influenza A (H1N1) - formerly 'swine flu':
On April 26, 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency after confirming several isolated human cases of influenza A (H1N1) in several states, Canada, and Mexico. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway; more than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is actively investigating the cases.
According to the CDC, as of 2:30 p.m. on July 2, 2009, there have been 33,902 reported cases in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; 170 deaths have been reported in 23 states. Health care providers have been informed to test individuals who have flu-like symptoms and have traveled to affected areas up to 7 days before becoming ill. These areas include: San Diego County and Imperial County, California, Guadalupe County, Texas and Mexico. Internationally, the virus has been confirmed in Mexico.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the influenza A (H1N1) virus from the CDC.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What medications are available to treat influenza A (H1N1) infections in humans?
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent influenza A (H1N1) virus isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with influenza A (H1N1) virus.
What are the symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) in humans?
The symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with influenza A (H1N1) also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Can people catch influenza A (H1N1) from eating pork?
No. Influenza A (H1N1) virus is not transmitted by food. You cannot get influenza A (H1N1) from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the influenza A (H1N1)virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
How does influenza A (H1N1) spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of influenza A (H1N1) can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What is influenza A (H1N1) (formerly known as swine influenza)?
Influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. The influenza A (H1N1) virus causes high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The influenza A (H1N1) virus was first isolated from a pig in 1930.
What can I do to stay healthy?
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy:
-
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
-
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
-
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
-
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
-
Extra vigilance should be exercised in high-traffic apartment community areas, such as fitness centers, community rooms and leasing offices, where person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing is more likely to occur. Frequent handwashing and proper hygiene are especially important in these locations.