April 25, 2009

UPDATE: Swine Flu Outbreak in The United States and Mexico

Affiliated Physicians has been closely monitoring the developing Swine Flu outbreak in the United States and Mexico. Based on developments today:

  • The Mexican government says a new strain of influenza has been responsible for the deaths of 60 people.

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) met today and decided NOT to change the Pandemic Threat Level from a Stage 3 to a Stage 4. However, they are closely monitoring the situation.

  • Secretary General of the WHO, Margaret Chan has said that the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico has, "pandemic potential."

  • The WHO has declared the swine flu outbreak in North America a "public health emergency of international concern."

  • Most of the reported Mexico City cases have been in young adults.

  • 75 students in Queens, New York, had complained on Thursday of flu-like symptoms. The NY Department of Health has done initial testing on saliva samples from 9 of these children and has concluded that 8 of these samples are positive for PROBABLE Swine Flu. These cases will be confirmed on Sunday by the CDC.

  • In New York, all of the illnesses in the affected children have been reported as mild and none have required hospitalization.

  • There have been 2 confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Kansas.

  • Tamiflu and Relenza have shown to work against this specific strain of influenza virus.

  • No travel restrictions have been reported.

  • The government has not issued any restrictions on the purchase and/or distribution of antiviral medications.

This is a developing story and one that Affiliated Physicians will monitor closely. It is important for companies to:

  • Communicate to their employees
  • Review and Update their Pandemic Plans
  • Encourage the use of proper hygiene
  • Review how social distancing and "work from home" capabilities would be implemented
  • Review the decision to purchase/distribute antiviral medications.

The CDC plans to release revised Interim Guidance within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Affiliated Physicians will send updates as necessary.

For more information on Affiliated Physicians' Pandemic Flu services, visit us online at www.affiliatedphysicians.net

Andrew Shulman
Chief Operating Officer
Affiliated Physicians
(212) 935-8725 ext 102
ashulman@affiliatedphysicians.net
www.affiliatedphysicians.net