2009 A-H1N1 Influenza Virus Resource Sheet and Outbreak Status Report
2009 A-H1N1 Influenza Virus Resource Sheet
About the Influenza Virus
There are threes types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C, based on the genetic code inside the nucleus (see illustration). Influenza type A viruses are the most dangerous and are divided into subtypes.
Virologists name the subtypes according to two different proteins on their surface: Haemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA). For example, an “H1N1” virus has an HA 1 protein and an NA 1 protein. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Influenza A subtypes currently circulating among people worldwide include H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2.
Note that calling this virus “swine flu” is misleading and has significantly impacted the swine industry in a negative way. Its genetic material is comprised of mostly human flu combined with some Asian swine flu, some N. American swine flu, and some N. American avian flu.
It is important to note that as of this writing, there are no documented cases indicating swine-to-human transmission of this virus.
How The Virus Replicates
The influenza material uses the pointed Haemagglutinin “spikes” like spears to pierce the wall of a healthy cell. The “infected” genetic code then moves into the healthy cell and uses it to manufacture more viral material. After it’s finished, the influenza uses its Neuraminidase “feet” to push away so it can infect another healthy cell.
Terms & Definitions
communicable – capable of being transmitted from one person to another.
epidemic – local or regional outbreak of a contagious disease.
incubation – development of an infectious disease from time of the pathogen’s entrance to the appearance of clinical symptoms (up to 24 hours in A-H1N1). A person is contagious during this period.
isolation – controlling spread of disease by separating persons known to be ill from those who aren’t.
outbreak – sudden rise in the incidence of a disease.
pandemic – epidemic that quickly becomes wide-spread and affects an entire continent or the world.
quarantine – isolation for people exposed to the disease but may or may not yet be ill.
social distancing – voluntarily maximizing personal space between people to reduce chance of infection.
2009 A-H1N1 Resources – Human and Animal Health
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
A-H1N1 and Food: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1Flu/faq_food.html
Emergency Use Authorization: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02002.html
Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1. Main H1N1 Page: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/index.htm
2. Case Counts: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
3. Influenza General Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/
4. Key Facts: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
5. Interim Guidance for EMS and 9-1-1 PSAPs: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_ems.htm
6. Press Briefing Transcripts: http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090426.htm
7. Seasonal Flu Overview: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
8. Travel Updates and Guidance: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluTravel.aspx
World Health Organization
A-H1N1 Page: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
Pandemic Alert Phases: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html
PanFlu.Gov
1. Home Page: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
2. State-by-State Pandemic Planning: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/index.html
3. Response Stages: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/federal/fedresponsestages.html
4. H1N1 FAQ: http://pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/
5. Use of Pneumococcal Vaccine: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/vaccine/pneumococcal.html
Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH)
Home Page: http://www.ok.gov/health/
Pan American Health Organization
Influenza Briefings: http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?lang=en
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id...
Association of State and Territorial Health Officers (ASTHO)
Flu Updates by State: http://www.astho.org/templates/display_pub.php?pub_id=3797&admin=1
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Tools and Resources: http://www.ahrq.gov/prep/swineflu.htm
Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)
http://www.sccm.org/Public_Health_and_Policy/Disaster_Resources/Pages/de...
National Library of Medicine
Swine Flu Resources: http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/swineflu.html
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Flu Info: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine_200904-eng.php
Travel Warnings: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2009/hsf-mexico-090427-eng.php
2009 A-H1N1 Resources – Miscellaneous
British Broadcasting Company (BBC)
World Map of H1N1 progress: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8021547.stm
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Flu Updates: http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/programs/swine-flu.shtm
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA Assistance for Pan Flu: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/9523_17.shtm
Government of Canada
Home Page: http://www.canada.gc.ca/home.html
General Influenza Information: http://www.fightflu.ca/index-eng.html
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Healthcare Workers Guidance: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdf
Workplace Guidance: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html
Office of Personnel Management
General Pandemic Information: www.opm.gov/pandemic/
Pandemic Memo: http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalId=...
PPE / Masks
1. Stockpiling Guidance: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/stockpiling-facemasks-respirators.html
2. Interim Homecare Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm
3. Respirators Cleared by FDA: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01630.html
4. Interim Healthcare Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidelines_infection_control.htm
5. Recommendations for Face-Mask Use in Community: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm
Disclaimer: The information provided in this document was derived from credible sources and is intended for general informational purposes only. Those readers who desire more detailed, up-to-date information should consult the appropriate source.
- Login to post comments