Swine Flu Update From GMS (April 30, 2009)

Current Situation



Yesterday, the World Health Organization’s Director General raised the Pandemic Alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5. This was triggered due to the community level outbreaks of swine/H1N1 flu in both the US and Mexico.

Phase 5 does not mean that a “global” pandemic is underway, but rather that there is a regional outbreak underway and that it is highly likely that a “global” pandemic will occur.



This change to a higher alert is a signal to the world’s stakeholders (governments, health agencies, and the business community) that planning and preparatory actions should be taken with greater urgency and speed. Effective measures should now include heightened surveillance, early detection, and treatment of cases, and increased infection control in all health facilities.



The full statement can be found here. In addition, several other countries around the world have suspected cases of swine flu.

Country	Cases	Deaths
	Lab Confirmed*	Lab Confirmed*	Suspected
Mexico	26	7	159
US	109	1	0
Canada	19	0	0
UK	5	0	0
Spain	4	0	0
New Zealand	3	0	0
Germany	3	0	0
Israel	2	0	0
Austria	1	0	0

Local/National News

• Currently in Canada, there are a total of 19 confirmed swine influenza cases: six cases in British Columbia, two cases in Alberta, seven cases in Ontario and four cases in Nova Scotia.
• All the cases reported in Canada so far have been relatively mild.
• The BCCDC has posted a BC Swine Flu Case Report Form for health professionals.

International News

Latest from the U.S. Centre for Disease Control

• New guidance documents for health professionals have been released/updated:
• Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)
• Guidance for Clinicians: Identifying and Caring for Patients with Swine-origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection
• Guidance for infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting (updated)
• Guidance for Clinicians: antiviral Recommendations for Patients and Close Contacts (updated)



• Information for concerned parents and caregivers has also been posted to the CDC website along with answers to common questions regarding the swine flu.
• Information for child care providers has also been posted.
• At 1:00 PM EST the CDC will hold a webcast to answer questions from the American Public.

Latest from the World Health Organization (As of April 29th 8:00 AM PST)

• In addition to raising the pandemic alert level, the WHO also issued guidelines for infection prevention and control in health care in providing care for confirmed or suspected A(H1N1) swine influenza patients

Antiviral News



http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE53S32A20090429

• Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG said Wednesday it was working closely with the World Health Organization to make its Tamiflu drug available to patients following the outbreak

• Roche said in a statement it had increased its preparedness level after the WHO increased its pandemic alert level



• Roche said Monday it was working on scaling up production of Tamiflu, but cautioned that the lead time for the drug from synthesis of the product to packaging was eight months.

Vaccine News

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aI0b818qm2j4&refer=home

• Several vaccine manufacturers are talking with world health authorities about how to speed production of a vaccine to meet the global swine flu outbreak. The companies may receive a sample of the virus within a few days.

Additional information continues to be available at: www.global-consulting.ca/content

Global's Mid-day Update

Current Situation

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director General has raised the Pandemic Alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5. This was triggered due to the community level outbreaks of swine flu in both the US and Mexico.

Phase 5 does not mean that a “global” pandemic is underway, but rather there is a regional outbreak underway and that it is highly likely that a “global” pandemic will occur.

This change to a higher alert is a signal to the world’s stakeholders (governments, health agencies, and the business community) that planning and preparatory actions should be taken with greater urgency and speed. Effective measures now include heightened surveillance, early detection, and treatment of cases, and increased infection control in all health facilities.

Global's Daily Update - April 29, 2009

Current WHO Pandemic Alert Phase: 4

Current Situation

The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Additional reports of new cases of swine influenza have been confirmed, a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients have occurred, and President Obama has verified the first swine flu death outside of Mexico, in a 23-month-old child in Texas.

Current Laboratory Confirmed Cases (As of April 29th 8:00 AM PST)

Swine Flu Cases by Country (as of April 29th 0800 hours PST)

Swine Flu Cases by Country (as of April 29^th 0800 hours PST)

Country	Cases*	Deaths
	Lab Confirmed	Lab Confirmed	Suspected
Mexico	26	7	159
US	91	1	0
Canada	13	0	0
UK	5	0	0
Spain	4	0	0
New Zealand	3	0	0
Germany	3	0	0
Israel	2	0	0
Costa Rica	2	0	0
Austria	1	0	0

*Includes deaths

In addition, several other countries around the world have suspected cases of swine flu.

Latest from the World Health Organization (As of April 29th 8:00 AM PST)

• No restrictions on regular travel or border closures have been advised.
• Those who are ill are encouraged to delay international travel and those developing symptoms following international travel are advised to seek medical attention.
• There is no risk of infection with this virus from the consumption of well-cooked pork or pork products.

Latest from the U.S. Centre for Disease Control (As of April 29th 8:00 AM PST)

• Several new guidance documents for health professionals have been posted including the following:

• Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of Medical Products and Devices
• Specimen Collection, Processing, and Testing for Patients with Suspected Infection
• Guidance for Clinicians on Identifying and Caring for Patients
• Guidance for Clinicians on Prevention and Treatment in Young Children
• Pregnant Women: Considerations for Clinicians
  

• New guidance for the travel industry and public service announcements (PSA) have also been posted:

• Guidance for Airlines Regarding Flight Crews Arriving from Domestic and International Areas Affected by Swine Influenza
• Guidance to Assist Airline Flight Deck and Cabin Crew in Identifying Passengers Who May Have Swine Influenza
• Swine Flu Preparedness (PSA)
• Community Planning for Swine Flu (PSA)
• Hygiene Habits to Help Fight Swine Flu (PSA)
  

Latest from Public Health and Safety Canada (As of April 29th 8:00 AM PST)

• A travel warning was issued recommending Canadians postpone all non-essential travel to Mexico.
• A backgrounder on some of the actions the federal government is taking and the measures Canadians should take to protect themselves was posted and can be found at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2009/2009_0428_a-eng.php. Actions of the federal government include:
  


• The elevation of the Government’s Emergency Operations Centre to full activation (Level 4), operating 24 hours a day and seven days a week
• Daily information sharing conference calls with provincial and territorial public health authorities and international partners
• The 24-hour, seven days per week operation of Canada’s National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg

Latest from BC Centre of Disease Control /Ministry of Health (As of April 29th 8:00 AM PST)

• Information for the public has been posted. Resources include the following:
  

• What is swine influenza or swine flu?
• Confirmed H1N1 case count in Canada
• Travel Health Notices


• Resources for Health Care Professionals have also been added to website:
  


• Lab Guidelines for Swine Influenza
• Specimen Container Order Form
• Virus Culture HLTH 1811 Requisition Form
  

Additional information continues to be available at: www.global-consulting.ca/content

If you would like more information about Global Consulting’s Swine Flu Advisory Services, please follow this link or email swinefluquery@global-consulting.ca

Global's Daily Update - April 28, 2009

Current Situation - Current Alert Phase 4



Yesterday the Director General of the World Health Organization raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 3 to 4 which indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is necessarily imminent

*Above image released April 27, 2009



Current Laboratory Confirmed Cases (As of April 28, 2009 at 8:30 am)



Canada (6 Cases)

• BC (2 Cases)
  
  
• NS (4 Cases)

US (40 Cases)

• California (7 cases)
  
  
• Kansas (2 cases)
  
  
• New York City (28 cases)
  
  
• Ohio (1 case)
  
  
• Texas (2 cases)
  
  

Mexico (26 Cases, 7 confirmed deaths)

Other Countries around the world have suspected cases

(*The following information reflects the latest as of April 28, 2009 at 8:30 am)

Latest from World Health Organization (WHO):

• Government and the public’s current focus should be on mitigation strategies
• Released interim guidance surveillance of human infection with swine flu
  
  

Latest from Centre for Disease Control (US):

• The CDC has posted several interim guidance documents for health professionals and the public, including guidance on:
  
  
  
  
  • Specimen Collection and Patient Processing
  • Facemask and respirator use in certain community settings
    
    
  • Antiviral recommendations for patients with suspected swine influenza
    
    

Latest from Public Health and Safety Canada:

• As of April 27 2009, travelers from Canada are recommended to postpone elective or non-essential travel to Mexico until further notice
• Further recommendations have been posted for Canadians who do travel to Mexico
• No new cases reported in Canada as of 7:30 AM PST
  
  
• Surveillance systems have been heightened to more closely monitor the spread of the disease
• Canadians who have recently travelled to Mexico, California and Texas and who develop flu-like symptoms are advised to seek medical attention immediately
  
  

Latest from BC Centre of Disease Control:

• British Columbia is working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is in turn working with health officials from the United States and Mexico to investigate an outbreak of swine influenza.
  
  

Two human cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and both are recovering.

Additional information continues to be available at: www.global-consulting.ca/content