It will take a nationwide response by communities and individuals to fight the H1N1 flu.

Presented by Portage County Public Health and Partners

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

TO FIGHT THE NEW H1N1 FLU

Overview

What is H1N1?

What can I do?

What is taking place to protect my community?

Flu Virus Subtypes for 2008-2009

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Week 17 was April 20, 2009

H1N1 Background

H1N1 is a NEW FLU virus as of March 2009. It is important to pay attention to H1N1

because: People have no natural immunity to the H1N1

virus. Spreads from person to person very easily and

quickly. It has caused serious sickness and death in

otherwise healthy people. Public health officials are preparing for H1N1 to

cause more sickness and death. It is NOT the same as a seasonal flu virus.

How did this happen?

Each year, flu viruses change just enough to cause a “drift”

Because they change slightly, humans have some immunity to pieces and parts of these flu viruses.

ex: Honda is known for making cars.

When a flu virus changes drastically, it is called a “shift”

Because this drastic change happens so quickly, most humans have no immunity to any pieces or parts of the new flu virus.

ex: Honda’s brand new line of pick-up trucks. Before a few years ago, Honda never made trucks before.

How does H1N1 spread?

H1N1 flu virus spreads the same way as seasonal flu virus: Through uncovered coughs and sneezes. By touching infected objects and then

touching your eyes, nose and/or mouth. Most flu viruses live on hard surfaces for a few

hours.

Seasonal Flu & H1N1 Symptoms

Seasonal Flu Symptoms:

•Fever•Headache•Tiredness•Cough•Sore throat•Runny nose•Muscle aches

H1N1 Flu Symptoms:

•Same as Seasonal flu symptoms and may be more severe.

•25% of cases also had stomach illness such as vomiting or diarrhea

Seasonal Flu vs. H1N1 Flu

The very young and the very old tend have severe complications from seasonal flu.

Severe complications from H1N1 Flu: Pregnant Women Infants to 24 years Under 65 with underlying

medical conditions: Asthma, diabetes, lung, kidney,

heart diseases

Preventing the Spread of Illness

Practice the 3 C’s: Clean. Cover. Contain.

Clean – Wash hands well and often.

Cover – Coughs and sneezes with tissue or arm.

Contain – Stay home when you are sick. A normal temperature for 24 hours without medication means that you are well again.

H1N1 Vaccination

CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) July 29,2009 – decided on target groups

should there be less of a supply than needed to vaccinate everyone at once.

Nasal spray and shot available Ages 9 and under need 2 doses, 3-4 weeks

apart. Everyone else needs one dose. Used under Federal Emergency Use

Authorization

H1N1 Vaccine Information

A Vaccine is being made to protect against the H1N1 virus.

Available Mid-October to December.

Certain groups may be asked to get the vaccine as soon as one is available.

If you are in such a group, please get the shot when it’s first available.

H1N1 Flu Shots

Groups that are recommended to received the H1N1 Flu Shot as soon as it’s available: Pregnant Women Caretakers of infants <6 months old All people 6 months to 24 years old People 25-64 years old with chronic conditions

such as asthma, diabetes, kidney, heart, and/or lung disease.

Anticipating enough vaccine available by December for all people

Is the H1N1 Flu Shot Safe?

People with egg allergies can not get the shot.

Testing the flu shots in healthy people. No known serious complications. Same side effects as seasonal flu shot:

Redness and soreness at site

More information please visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety

Community Response to H1N1 Local Portage County Public Health and

partners began a formal H1N1 response on April 26, 2009.

Confirmed local case on May 5, 2009. One of first confirmed cases in Ohio.

Activated an information hotline at the height of local emergency response in April and May.

Monitoring and tracking of influenza-like illnesses is taking place.

Community Response

Working on local website for information. H1N1 education at Randolph Fair and

other community events. Planning for vaccine distribution efforts

and public information for the fall. Trained EMT’s and

volunteer nurses to vaccinate population.

A Special Thanks to Our Local Partners

More H1N1 Information

Portage County Health Department 330-296-9919www.co.portage.oh.us/healthdepartment.htm www.co.portage.oh.us/h1n1.htm

Ohio Department of Health www.odh.ohio.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

American Red Cross www.redcross.org