The WHO Pandemic Alert remains at Phase 5.
Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths by Country (as of 1200 hrs PST, May 16th)
Local/National News
- On May 15th, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that 47 additional cases of Influenza A (H1N1) had been confirmed. Ontario still has the most cases in Canada (187), followed by British Columbia (100), Alberta (67), Nova Scotia (66), Quebec (47), Saskatchewan (19), Manitoba (4), PEI (3), New Brunswick (2), and the Yukon (1). Canada’s total case count is now at 496. PHAC
- The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is now reporting the following confirmed cases across the province:
o 20 in Northern Health
o 2 in Interior Health
o 13 on Vancouver Island Health
o 27 in Vancouver Coastal Health
o 38 in Fraser Health
International News
- President Barack Obama named New York City’s health commissioner, Thomas R. Frieden, as the new director of the U.S. CDC—a post that has been vacant since the departure of former director, Julie Gerberding, in January. Science Insider
- On Friday, May 15th, health officials in Texas confirmed the state's third swine flu-related death. Dr. William Burgin Jr. of the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health District said a 33-year-old man died May 5th or 6th after becoming sick a few days earlier. He said the man had pre-existing medical conditions, including heart problems. CBC
- Three public schools in Queens, New York, were closed and disinfected on Friday after the re-emergence of the H1N1 virus, which the city’s chief health official said appeared to be intensifying in larger clusters. An assistant principal remained hospitalized in critical condition with the most serious case since the virus turned up more than three weeks ago. New York Times
Vaccine News
- GlaxoSmithKline plans to begin production of a swine flu vaccine, pre-empting a recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO), after four European countries placed orders for the shots. The United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Finland have agreed to buy approximately 158 million shots from London-based GSK and Baxter International Inc. of Deerfield, Illinois, according to statements today from Glaxo and the U.K. government. Bloomberg
Latest Guidance from the WHO, U.S. CDC, PHAC, and BCCDC
- The U. S. CDC’s Travel Health Warning recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico, in effect since April 27, 2009, has now been downgraded to a Travel Health Precaution for Mexico. This based on evidence that:
o The Mexican outbreak is slowing down;
o The United States and other countries are now seeing increasing numbers of cases not associated with travel to Mexico; and,
o The risk of severe disease from novel H1N1 virus infection now appears to be less than originally thought.
The U.S. CDC continues to recommend that travelers visiting Mexico take steps to protect themselves from getting novel H1N1 flu. CDC
Today’s Key Question
Should public health officials continue to allow large public gatherings as H1N1 spreads further around the world?
The U.S. CDC has provided the following recommendations for large public gatherings (defined as an assembly or grouping of many people in one place where crowding is likely to occur, including indoor and outdoor gatherings):
- Masks and respirators are not recommended (for non-healthcare settings where frequent exposures to persons with novel influenza A H1N1 are unlikely).
- Persons with influenza-like-illness (ILI) should be advised to stay home for 7 days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved (whichever is longer).
- Persons who are at high risk of complications from novel influenza A H1N1 infection (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, children less than 5 years, persons 65 or older, and pregnant women) should consider their risk of exposure to novel influenza if they attend public gatherings in communities where novel influenza A virus is circulating. In communities with several reported cases of novel influenza A H1N1 virus infection, persons who are at risk of complications from influenza should consider staying away from such gatherings.
- All persons should be reminded to use appropriate respiratory and hand hygiene precautions.
- Additional measures for consideration include:
o At such events, planners should make hand washing facilities with soap and running water (or hand sanitizing stations) widely available.
o Provide on-site medical assessment and care for persons with ILI.
o Provide alternative options and venues for participation (e.g., remote Web-based viewing sites) and simultaneously reduce crowding. CIDRAP
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