Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Update - Newly Available Guidance from CDC as of 26 April 2009


Information regarding Swine Flu will be disseminated as available - Please continue to check the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu for daily updates as this investigation will be ongoing.

As part of an ongoing investigation into an outbreak of swine influenza A (H1N1) in the United States and Mexico , CDC announced confirmation of an additional 12 human cases of infection with swine flu in the U.S, bringing the total number of cases to 20 so far. At this time, cases of swine influenza have been confirmed in California , Kansas , New York City , Ohio and Texas . Based on the rapid spread of the virus thus far, public health officials believe that more cases will be identified over the next several weeks. Case counts are updated daily and available at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm.

Clinicians should consider swine influenza infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute febrile respiratory illness who have either been in contact with persons with confirmed swine flu, or who were in one of the five U.S. states that have reported swine flu cases or in Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset.

Patients who meet these criteria should be tested for influenza A, and specimens positive for influenza A should be sent to public health laboratories for further characterization. Clinicians who suspect that a patient has a swine influenza virus infection should obtain a nasopharyngeal swab from the patient, place the swab in a viral transport medium, refrigerate the specimen, and then contact their state or local health department to facilitate transport and timely diagnosis at a state public health laboratory. CDC requests that state public health laboratories promptly send all influenza A specimens that cannot be subtyped to the CDC, Influenza Division, Virus Surveillance and Diagnostics Branch Laboratory.

This is a rapidly evolving situation and guidance should be considered interim and will be updated frequently.  

Newly Available Guidance:

New guidance is available at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations, including:

• Interim Guidance on Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Close Contacts
• Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home
• Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission Has Been Detected

·      Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratory Workers

·      Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting

·      Interim Guidance on Case Definitions to be Used For Investigations of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Cases

For more information about swine flu: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu

Montgomery County Health Department can be contacted at 610-278-5117

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