When a novel infectious disease makes its presence known, the public health infrastructure swings into action. Now, with the rapid emergence of swine flu in a number of countries around the world, this is a prime example of where the public health rubber meets the road.
Today, the World Health Organization raised the pandemic level for swine flu to Phase 4, meaning that there is now documented human-to-human transmission of a virus "able to sustain community-wide outbreaks". The WHO pandemic classification uses a scale of 1 to 6, with a rating of 6 signifying a global pandemic, a potential that officials are quick to say may or may not occur.
While no one in the United States has yet died from swine flu infection, the public health community takes the situation seriously, especially in light of the rising death toll in Mexico, and the emergence of disease in Spain, Scotland and Canada. in Queens, New York, a number of children who traveled to Mexico over spring vacation have been officially diagnosed with swine flu, and there are reports of school closings in various parts of the country.
Today, conference calls were scheduled by the CDC, state departments of public health, and other major players in the public health and emergency preparedness arenas.
Since I just recently attended the Integrated Medical, Public Health, Preparedness and Response Training Summit in Dallas last month, I am acutely aware of how the CDC's Strategic National Stockpile figures largely into the response to just this type of public health emergency, and word has it that large amounts of stockpiled antiviral medications are at the ready if mass prophyaxis of the population is needed.
I am duly impressed by the rapid response of the CDC, FEMA and other important agencies involved in the effort vis-a-vis the swine flu outbreak, and we are ready to activate our local Medical Reserve Corps chapter if emergency dispensing of medications or other municipal response is needed.
Speaking of the Medical Reserve Corps, this swine flu outbreak is yet another example of why we need more medical (and non-medical) volunteers to join their local chapters. The MRC is an important part of the public health and emergency response infrastructure, and having a network of thousands of screened, vetted and trained volunteers ready to be mobilized across the country to assist in the response to these types of situations is crucial to protecting local, regional and national responders from being overwhelmed in the case of a surge of need on the part of the public.
For up-to-date information on the outbreak, visit the CDC's Swine Flu Website. This is not a tie for panic, yet it is also a time for vigilance, good hygeine and handwashing, and a circumspectful caution vis-a-vis individuals who exhibit any signs of flu-like illness. Medical providers are receiving detailed information regarding the epidemiology, symptoms and treatment of swine flu. Any individual with flu-like symptoms should refrain from going to work, school or other public places. Such individuals should absolutely wear a mask when in public, and should visit a medical provider as soon as possible.
As a local public health official, I am watching this situation carefully along with my colleagues, and we are in frequent communication with our state department of public health, our local schools, area colleges, and other partner agencies.
The public health infrastructure is indeed in full swing, and I am currently swept up in the rising tide of surveillance as the outbreak widens and deepens.
5 comments:
It is sad to know that it is getting worse and spreading around they globe... hope they could provide something to stop this outbreak.. health advocate
It is treatable but people needs to be educated on protecting themselves and others so the sick gets treated and the healthy don't get exposed to it.
I really don't understand what the big deal is. How is this flu different from any other flu? If I experience "flu-like" symptoms how would I know if I had this particular "swine flu" or just the garden variety flu? Is there some kind of test that could be done? Is there any treatment? Why is the media sensationalizing it and saying people are going to die from it? I just don't get it. Please try to explain. Thanks.
I will try to explain as best I can.
First, swine flu is not "covered" by the flu vaccine, so many people may lack immunity to it.
Second, swine flu is one strain that has been predicted to be a potential one that might cause a worldwide pandemic similar to the one that killed so many people in 1918. A pandemic is relatively inevitable according to many experts, and will probably happen in this century. This particular outbreak may or may not be "the big one", but they are treating it as such just in case.
The media does indeed sensationalize everything. The best thing is to get your information from the CDC website and forget about what they say on most of the news programs. Media want to sell advertising so they make everything bigger than it needs to be in order to entice viewers.
As you may know by now, one child has died in Texas from the swine flu, and many in Mexico. While we do not know the extent of these individuals' prior health conditions and risk factors, this is something that has to be watched. Granted, about 36,000 people die from seasonal flu every year as well, and this is usually the young, the old or the chronically ill.
In terms of treatment, the swine flu is indeed resistant to a number of antivirals, but some may be effective. The government has stockpiles of these meds in warehouses around the country and they will be distributed if needed.
Anyone who has flu-like symptoms should seek treatment if they become seriously ill or have a high fever. Sick people should also use masks to protect others from possible contagion, and they should refrain from going to school or work or other activities until 7 days after their symptoms began.
I hope this helps. Please visit the CDC swine flu website for more information!
Very well explained, Keith. I, too, rely on CDC and not reading others.
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