The speakers on the briefing were Dr. Jay Butler, Dr. Jesse Goodman, and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Throughout the summer months there have been low levels of flu activity in the US and this unusual activity has primarily been attributed to H1N1. Currently the CDC is not doing routine testing for H1N1 cases if the patient is not hospitalized. The H1N1 flu disproportionally affects young people. To date, normal flu treatments seem to be working. The incidence of H1N1 cases in the southern hemisphere seem to be decreasing in most places. The southern hemisphere seems to have experienced a flu season similar to that of the US this past spring. The CDC and other health organizations continue to closely monitor H1N1 around the world.
A vaccine for H1N1 is being developed and tested. It is expected that there will be 45-52 million doses by mid-October. Currently, plans are to distribute the doses to states based on population probably through an upgraded version of the Vaccines to Children program. The target groups for the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine include pregnant women, children 2 years to 24 years, people 25-64 with other flu susceptible medical risks, and those with an increased risk of exposure to H1N1 or a higher likelihood of transmitting H1N1 to high risk persons. Vaccines will be voluntary. The FDA is closely monitoring the production of the vaccine to ensure that it is safe and available. So far the clinical trials have been positive with no red flags to date regarding safety.
The CDC will continue to plan for the worst case scenario and lots of flu activity during the current school year. They strongly urge everyone to remain diligent in utilizing flu prevention techniques such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick.
They likened the possibility of stopping the spread of H1N1 to altering the course of a hurricane or stopping the earth from shaking during an earthquake. However, we can mitigate the severity of this pandemic.
The message that I took away for Barrow County Schools is that we need to remain diligent in continuing to follow good prevention techniques and staying abreast of information as it becomes available.
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