As we get closer to flu season, we will be providing updates regarding novel H1N1 flu as new information becomes available. There are three new pieces of information that may interest you.
(1) August 3 update on Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm
(2) August 5 update on CDC's recommendations for the amount of time persons with flu-like symptoms should avoid work or contact with others.
CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F) or (37.8°C) without the use of fever-reducing medications.
This recommendation has changed from the previous guidance that ill persons stay home for 7 days after illness onset or 24 hours after all symptoms have passed, whichever was longer. The new recommendation will apply to businesses, including retail operations, where the majority of people are not at increased risk for influenza complications. The goal is to minimize social disruption to the extent possible.
More information on this new recommendation can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm
(3) On August 7, the Federal government modified the guidance provided to state and local public health and school officials, suggesting a range of options for responding to Novel H1N1 influenza in schools, depending on how severe the flu may be in their communities. The guidance says officials should balance the risk of flu in their communities with the disruption that school dismissals will cause in education and the wider community. This guidance is rather extensive, but if you are interested, the information can be found at: http://flu.gov/plan/school/index.html
For more information on Flu Season and Novel H1N1 influenza, go to:
http://www.flu.gov/ or http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
6/19/09
H1N1 Update: World Health Organization Raises Pandemic Alert Level to Phase 6 and Offers Guidance to Businesses
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world. This decision is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.
This declaration is not a surprise and has been expected for some time. The declaration is in response to the ongoing global spread of the H1N1 virus. Influenza caused by the H1N1 virus is now reported in at least in 74 countries.
Severity of the Illness
Currently, the WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate (on a scale of mild-moderate-severe). This assessment is based on many factors including hospitalizations and deaths, along with the pandemic's impact on health care systems and social and economic impacts.
The moderate assessment reflects that:
• Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
• Overall, national levels of severe illness from H1N1 are similar to levels seen during seasonal flu.
• Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care.
Recommendations for Actions at Phase 6
Businesses and employers should focus on actions that will help prevent or minimize the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. For general guidance, including CDC recommendations, review this document: Prevention of Illness in Well Employees.
6/12/09
H1N1 Update: World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic
Yesterday, Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, announced that nearly 30,000 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus have been reported in 74 countries.
This is only part of the picture. With few exceptions, countries with large numbers of cases are those with good surveillance and testing procedures in place. The virus has spread in several countries and can no longer be traced to clearly-defined chains of human-to-human transmission. Further spread is considered inevitable.
On the basis of available evidence, and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. Chan therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6.
The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic.
For the latest information and updates visit: CDC H1N1 Flu Update.
May 4, 2009
CDC H1N1 Flu Update: U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
The ongoing outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) continues to expand in the United States. CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks.
CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to the expanding outbreak. CDC’s response goals are to reduce spread and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.
For the latest information and updates visit: CDC H1N1 Flu Update.
May 4, 2009
As H1N1 Outbreak Continues to Grow, Unified Steps Up Preventive Measures
On Friday, May 1st, Unified maintenance teams began installing hand sanitizers in all regions of operation wherever most people have access to enter its facilities and also in large lunchrooms and driver entrances. Additional hand sanitizing units will be arriving in about a week that will be placed at secondary entrances and in smaller lunchrooms.
Employees are also strongly encouraged to wash their hands often, sneeze or cough into a tissue or into their elbow, and stay at home when they are ill to avoid spreading viruses to others.
Retailers are also being provided resources to help them have the information and products they need for consumers concerned about their health. Links to a Swine Flu Basic Product Plan, and Regional Product Checklists are included on this website, as well as a brochure that they can share with their customers about influenza and its prevention.
In response to the growing concern about the virus, Unified has also scheduled daily meetings of its Pandemic Response Team to review the latest information from international, national, and local health organizations as well as any business concerns about the virus and its prevention. Unified has detailed Pandemic Business Continuity Guidelines in place so as to protect employees’ health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to its business, members, and society.
May 4, 2009
'Pork Is Safe To Eat, Handle,’ Says Pork Industry
“Pork is safe to eat and handle,” the U.S. pork industry continues to assure people in the wake of a report from Canada that pigs in an Alberta pork operation contracted an H1N1 virus. A worker who recently visited Mexico – and became ill with the flu – is suspected of transmitting the virus to a pig.
At this time, no U.S. pigs have been found to be infected or sick with the virus. It is unknown if this new strain causes any type of illness in swine. However, because it is novel, the National Pork Board is urging producers to take extra precaution to protect our industry’s workers and our animals.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in a statement that the detection of H1N1 flu virus in one farm in Canada does not change the situation here in the United States. Vilsack’s statement included the following points:
• There have been no reports that the novel H1N1 strain currently causing illness in humans is in U.S. swine.
• This is not a foodborne illness. The American food supply is safe and pork and pork products are safe. As is the case with all meat and poultry, safe handling and cooking practices should be used to kill any germs or bacteria that could make you sick.
April 30, 2009
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Alert Level Raised to “Phase 5” by the World Health Organization
In response to an intensifying global outbreak caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5 on April 29, 2009. A Phase 5 alert is a “strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.”
Unified Grocers is using this web page to keep our members, customers, vendors and employees abreast of the latest news about the situation as well as share information on how to prevent its further proliferation.
We will post news stories and Internet links here that may be helpful for you and your customers during this situation. Your input is also invited. Please send information that you feel may benefit others to mediacontact@unifiedgrocers.com.
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs that can cause outbreaks of flu among pigs especially in the fall and winter. People do not normally get swine flu, and when they do, it is usually from direct exposure to pigs. It does not readily pass from human-to-human.
Why are people now getting swine flu?
Influenza viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian, human and swine viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can swap genes (“reassort”) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. The recent outbreak of swine flu in April 2009 referred to as H1N1, is caused by a mixture of viral genes never seen before. Unlike typical swine flu, the new virus can spread from person-to-person.
How can you tell if you have swine flu?
The symptoms of the common flu are the same as swine flu. Only laboratory tests can determine exactly what virus is causing your flu symptoms.
How does swine flu spread?
The swine flu spreads the same ways as seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Infected people may be able to contaminate others one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.
Can I get swine flu from eating pork?
No. Like the common flu, swine flu is a respiratory disease — it is not a food borne illness. You cannot get swine flu from eating or handling pork or pork products.
I’ve already had my flu shot (vaccine) — am I protected?
This H1N1 swine flu is a new form of virus and the regular vaccine will not protect you (although the vaccine is still highly recommended since it will help prevent the common flu). If you are infected with the swine flu virus, there are drugs that are effective in treating the illness.
What can I do to stay healthy?
Here are some practical tips for staying healthy that you should follow every day, and they are especially important during the flu season, widespread flu outbreaks or if there is a pandemic.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider who will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve and not your hands.
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who appears to have the flu.