Pandemic Influenza (H1N1)Carol Franklin, MSN Ed, RNPublic Health Doctoral StudentWalden University

Objectives• To define the terms pandemic and

influenza.• To reflect on historic pandemics worldwide.• To identify the signs and symptoms of

influenza.• To discuss available treatments.• To identify who is at risk for contracting

influenza.

What does pandemic mean?

• Pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of a new disease in which humans have no immunity meaning that it occurs everywhere in the world.

• In 1918 there was a global pandemic of Spanish flu that killed approximately 50 million people worldwide.

Arizona Department of Health Services. (2009). Pandemic Flu Information. Retrieved on October 4, 2009 from http://www.azdhs.gov/pandemicflu/index.htm

What is Influenza?• A viral infection that

affects the nose, throat, bronchi and sometimes lungs.

• It is transmitted from person to person via droplets when others cough or sneeze

World Health Organization. (2009). Influenza. Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.who.int/topics/influenza/en/

Signs and Symptoms

1. Fever2. Loss of appetite3. Rhinitis, sore throat4. Congestion, cough5. Nausea, vomiting6. Diarrhea

World Health Organization. (2009). Influenza. Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.who.int/topics/influenza/en/

Image URL: swineflu.myinvitation.co.in/files/2009/08/Swi

Did you know?• That in 1918 there was

the “Spanish Flu” pandemic that caused 20-40 million deaths.

• In 1957 there was the “Asian Flu” that caused

1-4 million deaths.

• In 1968 there was the “Hong Kong Flu” that caused 1-4 million deaths.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment. (2009). Pandemic Influenza Update. Retrieved on October 12, 2009 from http://www.kdheks.gov

Seasonal vs Pandemic FluSeasonal Flu Occurs annually during the winter. Affects up to 10% of the population.  Unpleasant but not life-threatening in most cases.

Very young, very old, and people with certain chronic illnesses most at risk.

Vaccines are available to protect us from seasonal flu.

Antiviral drugs available to treat those at special risk.

Connecticut Department of Public Health. (2009). Be Aware Be Prepared for Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/communications/cerc/ct_dph_panflu_ihd.

Seasonal vs. Pandemic FluPandemic Flu Occurred three times in the last 90 years.

Can occur at any time of the year. Symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu but more severe.

People of every age may be at risk of serious illness.

Connecticut Department of Public Health. (2009). Be Aware Be Prepared for Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/communications/cerc/ct_dph_panflu_ihd.

Affected Areas

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Flu Activity and Surveillance. Retrieved on November 3, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

How are we affected globally?Region Cumulative total

(10/18/09)Cases Deaths

Africa 13,297 75

Americas 160,129 3,539

Eastern Mediterranean 14,739 96

Europe 63,000 + At least 261

South East Asia 41,513 573

Western Pacific 122,267 455

Total > 414,945 At least 4999

The Global Impact• The World Health

Organization declared a worldwide pandemic of H1N1 flu by increasing the alert level to phase 6.

• 70 countries have reported cases of H1N1.

• The United States has the highest number of reported cases.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). Retrieved on October 8, 2009 from http://www.pandemicflu.gov/individualfamily/about/current/index.html#learn

Morbidity and Mortality Rates

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Fluview. Retrieved on October 28, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

Am I at risk?

United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). 2009: H1N1Flu: Who’s at risk for complications? Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.flu.gov/pdfs/whosathighrisk.pdf

How can I control influenza?

Wash my hands.

Cover mynose and mouth when I

sneeze and wear a maskif I have any respiratory

symptoms

Are there preventive methods?• Yes…..• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If

soap is not available use alcohol based hand cleaner.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Discard the tissue in the trash can.

• If you do not have tissues, cough or sneeze into the inner elbow.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Germs spread this way.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). 2009 H1N1 Flu: What do I need to know and do? Retrieved on October 8, 2009 from http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/pdf/H1N1Flu_FactSheet.pdf

What other ways can we control the spread of the flu?

• Immunizations• Anti-virals• Masks• Stay home if you are

sick

Know, Do, and Go3 Things to Know 3 Things to Do 3 Places to Go

Pandemic flu is world-wide, more people will get sick.

Wash your hands consistently, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze and not in your hands.

Contact your local health department for questions or concerns regarding the flu.

There may be a limited supply of food and other necessities

Encourage parents to stock up on canned foods and bottled water, batteries, tissue and flash lights.

Visit these websites:www.flu.govwww.ncpublichealth.com

There may be less healthcare workers to care for you because they too may be sick

Have a thermometer on hand, fever reducing medications and first aid kit.

Call the toll free hotline: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

CDC’s Recommendations

Schools and other facilities with confirmed cases do not have to close.

Students and/or staff members should stay at home for 7 days if they are infected with the virus.

Good hygiene including hand washing, and sanitizing should be implemented.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). 2009 H1N1 Flu: What do I need to know and do? Retrieved on October 8, 2009 from http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/pdf/H1N1Flu_FactSheet.pdf

Let’s Review Influenza pandemics are naturally recurring events.

They come in different intervals. We are currently experiencing an influenza pandemic. All countries will be affected and illness will be

widespread. Mortality rates will continue to increase if we do not protect ourselves.

Healthcare workers and systems will be overwhelmed. Risk minimized through preventive steps such as good

hand hygiene, immunization and disinfecting. New influenza vaccine available. Everyone needs to be prepared.

Questions?

This concludes the presentation.

References Arizona Department of Health Services. (2009). Pandemic Flu Information. Retrieved on October 4, 2009 from

http://www.azdhs.gov/pandemicflu/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Flu Activity and Surveillance. Retrieved on November 3, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Fluview. Retrieved on October 28, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov.gov/flu/weekly/

Connecticut Department of Public Health. (2009). Be Aware Be Prepared for Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/communications/cerc/ct_dph_panflu_ihd

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). 2009 H1N1 Flu: What do I need to know and do? Retrieved on October 8, 2009 from http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/pdf/H1N1Flu_FactSheet.pdf

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment. (2009). Pandemic Influenza Update. Retrieved on October 12, 2009 from http://www.kdheks.gov

The United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). The Current Flu Situation. Retrieved on October 8, 2009 from http://www.pandemicflu.gov/individualfamily/about/current/index.html#learn

The United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). 2009: H1N1Flu: Who’s at risk for complications? Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.flu.gov/pdfs/whosathighrisk.pdf

World Health Organization. (2009). Influenza. Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.who.int/topics/influenza/en/

Additional Resources Federal government's pandemic influenza website: www.pandemicflu.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov

Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov

World Health Organization: www.who.int

Association of Sate and Territorial Health Officials: www.astho.org http://www.PandemicFlu.gov

CDC’s Swine Flu Info Center: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid =swineFlu_outbreak_001

WHO’s Swine Flu Info Center http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/