Business As Usual In Response to WHO Pandemic Announcement

Even though the World Health Organization (WHO) has elected to move to Phase 6 – the highest level in its six phases of pandemic preparedness and response recommendations – it remains business as usual at Central District Health Department (CDHD). The health district continues to monitor local developments of the novel H1N1 flu virus, but little else has changed. The district’s Emergency Operations Center staff meet once a week for updates on the situation. But local flu activity seems to be tapering off, which is not uncommon for the summer months.

“We’re looking at this as an opportunity to prepare for the fall,” said Kimberly Link, Program Manager with CDHD’s Public Health Preparedness program. “We don’t know what is going to happen with this strain of the flu, but we have to be ready, should the virus return during regular flu season with greater severity.”

According to WHO the novel H1N1 flu virus has now been confirmed in 74 countries, including sizable outbreaks in the southern hemisphere countries of Australia and Chile where the winter season, and therefore the seasonal flu season, is just getting started. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with the governments in those countries to monitor the situation and learn more about the virus before flu season begins in the northern hemisphere.

CDC investigators admit there is still considerable uncertainty about the future of this new strain of the flu. Over the summer and in the southern hemisphere it could weaken, remain the same or become more dangerous, depending on how or if it recombines with the other circulating flu viruses.

In the meantime the federal government has appropriated $1 billion toward the development of a vaccine for the novel H1N1 flu virus. Every state and territory of the United States has received anti-viral medications and personal protective equipment to assist public health authorities in responding to a pandemic. CDHD has been quietly working behind the scenes to develop agreements with community partners to distribute the medicine and equipment, should the current situation escalate this fall.

CDHD is also updating information on its website and on the Flu Hotline 321-2222.