pandemic flu and you
DESCRIPTION
Pandemic Flu and You. DJ Holcombe, MD, MSA, FACP JJ Naponick, MD, MPH Administrator/Medical Director Department of Health & Hospitals Office of Public Health Region 6. Topics of Discussion. Seasonal Influenza Avian Influenza Pandemic Influenza Impact & Planning Public Health Role - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Pandemic Flu and You
DJ Holcombe, MD, MSA, FACPJJ Naponick, MD, MPH
Administrator/Medical Director Department of Health & Hospitals
Office of Public HealthRegion 6
Topics of Discussion
Seasonal Influenza Avian InfluenzaPandemic InfluenzaImpact & PlanningPublic Health RoleYour RoleResources
So you’ve got the flu?
mild to severe respiratory illness of sudden onset caused by an influenza virus
highly infectious-spreads rapidly from person to person
some strains more severe than others
occurs every year killing 36,000 people in U.S. and 550 in Louisiana
What is influenza (flu)?
Symptoms of Influenza
sudden onset of symptoms
fever, headache, aching muscles, weakness
respiratory symptoms cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing
incubation period = time from exposure to virus to development of symptoms
varies for influenza , but generally 1 to 4 days
Seasonal Flu is just that, seasonal.Pandemic Flu is not.
How does influenza spread?
Breathing in droplets produced when infected person talks/coughs/ sneezes
Touching an infected person or surface
contaminated with the virus and then touching your own or someone else’s face
Influenza A Virus
Hemagglutinin (H)–16 subtypes(attachment, penetration)
Neuraminidase (NA)–9 subtypes(release)
8 viral genes(assembly, replication)
M2 protein(penetration)
Hemagglutinin (H)–16 subtypes(attachment, penetration)
Antigenic Drift vs. Shift
Antigenic drift: major changes in the form of one or both of the two principle antigens on the viral surface
our immune system has greater difficulty recognizing them
Antigenic shift: radical changes in the form of the one or both of the two principle antigens on the viral surface
our immune system can’t recognize them at all
What’s Next?
The Avian Menace, our false feathered friends.
Avian (Bird) Influenza
An infection occurring naturally among birds caused by avian influenza viruses (e.g. H5N1 virus)
Birdswild birds worldwide carry the virus – usually no illnessdomesticated birds - can become ill and die
Humans can become infected with avian influenza -> severe illness and deathmost cases from close contact with infected poultry very rarely may have spread from one person to anothercases/deaths since 2003 = 359/226
• 2003: 4/4• 2004: 46/32• 2005: 98/43• 2006: 115/79• 2007: 86/59• 2008: 10/9
Influenza A Subtypes:The Omnipresent Zoonoses
Viral MutationsUnlocking the Key to Infection
Will H5N1 become the next pandemic?
Avian Flu not yet Pandemic Flucurrent outbreaks of H5N1 Avian Flu in poultry and birds are the largest ever documented
Impossible to predict next pandemic flu event
If not H5N1, then another
Plan now
How do we protect ourselves from our feathered friends?
Poultry SurveillanceCulling the infected flocks.
Stopping the Avian Flu: Surveillance
Avian Flu: Sampling Flocks
Understanding Pandemic Flu
Epidemic: serious outbreak in a single community, population or region
Pandemic: an epidemic spreading around the world affecting hundreds of thousands of people, across many countries
Pandemic flu: a pandemic that results from an influenza virus strain that humans have not been previously exposed to
Putting Pandemic Flu into Perspective
2001 terrorist attack with anthraxkilled five people
2002 outbreak of West Nile Viruskilled 284 people nationally in six months
2003 SARS outbreakkilled over 800 people world widefroze Asian economiesfrightened millions of people into wearing masks on the streets
History of Pandemic Influenza1968-1969
Worldwide 700,000 deaths (34,000 in US)
1957-1958Worldwide 1.5 million deaths (70,000 in US)
1918 Worldwide 40-50 million deaths (500,000–650,000 in US)
Typical Influenza Season36,000 deaths in US
The Spanish Flu of 1918
Mortality in 1918
Public Health Measures in 1918
Personal Protective Equipment (1918)
Law Enforcement in the 1918 Flu
Lessons from Past PandemicsOccurs unpredictably, not always in winter
Variations in mortality, severity of illness and pattern of illness
Rapid surge in number of cases over brief period of time, often measured in weeks
Tend to occur in waves - subsequent waves may be more or less severe
Pandemic Flu: Current Status and Requirements
Currently no pandemic influenza in the world
For pandemic influenza to occur, three conditions must be met:
a new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human populationit causes serious illness in people it spreads easily from person to person worldwide
Interpandemic
Larger clusters, localized
Limited spread among humans
Pandemic
Current Status
WHO Global Influenza Preparedness Plan, 2005. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/influenza/GIP_2005_5Eweb.pdf
Pandemic alert
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6
New virus in
humans
Little/no spread among humans
Small clusters, localized
Limited spread among humans
Increased and
sustained spread in general human
population
Current status of
H5N1
No new virus in humans
Animal viruses low risk
to humans
No new virus in humans
Animal viruses low risk
to humans
Current H5N1 status
Pandemic Flu (Category and Projected Death
Rates)
Pandemic Influenza Impacts
Estimated Impact in Louisiana
3 Million infectedBetween 600,000-1.4 million clinically illBetween 300K-700K requiring outpatient careBetween 10,000 – 22,500 hospitalizedBetween 3,000 – 6,000 deaths
Impact on Infrastructure
Significant disruption of transportation, commerce, utilities, public safety and communications Limited to no assistance from State and Federal governments due to nation-wide impact
Impact on Health CareIllness rates will soar
Many people will require some medical care
Health care facilities will be overwhelmed
Symptoms may be severe
Complications: may be more frequent healthy people may be at increased risk
Impact on Business
Impact on Business Owners
Up to 40% employee absenteeismPossible increase/decrease in demand for products or servicesDisruption of communication & supply chainsFewer employees and customers
Issues to AddressModification of:
• customer/employee interaction
• sick leave & work location
Communication/education Collaboration Infection Control
Pandemic Flu Simulation
Making Vaccines
Will there be a vaccine?
Because the virus will be new, there will be no vaccine ready to protect against pandemic flu
A specific vaccine cannot be made until the virus has been identified
Seasonal flu vaccine or past flu immunization will not provide protection
Medications During Pandemic Flu
Antiviral Medicationscan prevent complications if taken within first 48 hours of illnessmay not be effective against a pandemic flu virusextremely limited supply nowwould be prioritized initial use probably only for treatment, not prophylaxis
Antiviral Medications
Amatadine (Symmetrel)
Rimantadine (Flumadine)
Zanamivir (Relenza)
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
Influenza Containment Strategy: Community
ResponseBasic ActivitiesSurveillance and quarantine of early casesPublic information and educationPromote “respiratory hygiene” and hand washing
Enhanced ActivitiesFocused measures to increase social distanceCommunity-wide measures to increase social distance
Isolation and Quarantine
isolate ill individuals with certain contagious diseases
quarantine contacts (those exposed to such contagious diseases) play a role in the early stages of the pandemiclegal measures possible
probably would rely on voluntary cooperation
once beyond initial cases“stay home when you are sick”
Influenza Prevention
VaccinationStay at home when sickCover your coughWash hands regularlyAvoid touching eyes, nose and mouthAvoid close contact with people who are sick
Infection Control - Our Basic Protection
Hand HygieneWash hands regularly with soap & waterIf no water available: 60%-95% alcohol-based sanitizer
Cover your cough strategy
Environmental cleaning1:10 bleach solutionEPA registered disinfectant
Gloves & surgical masks
Hand washing
Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers
Different Masks for Different Folks
Community Wide Measures
Reduce Social Contact by canceling large gatherings, mass transit, schoolDecision based on location of flu activity:
Outbreak not local: large gatherings cancelledOutbreak in local/neighboring county: small gatherings cancelled
School closings determined by State Department of Health & Hospitals Department of Education Local School Boards.
Workforce Support
Psychological and physical strain on personnel responding in emergency situation
Psychological stress for families
Plan for staff to have adequateSleepFoodAccess to psychological and spiritual support
Guidance Personal/Family Planning
Personal protection: Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquetteSurgical masks: proven effective for droplet precautions Seasonal influenza vaccination
Stockpiling: One to three week essential water, food, supplies, medicines
Community Goals in Pandemic Flu
Limit death and illness
Preserve continuity of essential government and business functions
Minimize social disruption
Minimize economic losses
Public Health Role in Pandemic
Facilitate planningDisease tracking & controlCommunication about public health issuesCoordinate mass antiviral medication and vaccination clinicsIssue isolation and quarantine orders
Get Informed! Be Prepared!
State Draft Pandemic Flu Planhttp://www.dhh.state.la.us/offices/publications/pubs-145/Pandemic%20Influenza%20Plan_100906.pdf
Family Readiness Guidehttp://www.dhh.state.la.us/offices/publications/
Official Pandemic Flu Web Sitehttp://www.pandemicflu.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhttp://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemicflu/
Even though local, state and federal agencies have plans to protect the public, you are responsible for your own safety,
even in an emergency!