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H1N1 Influenza Resource Page
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"H1N1" Influenza A Outbreak - Resource Page
The National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN)
offers this resource page to provide our network members and partners with a central source
for health monitoring as well as key resources and best practices related to the H1N1
Influenza A outbreak (commonly called “swine flu”. This resource page is designed
for disaster chaplaincy and spiritual caregivers, disaster interfaiths, faith communities,
and our government and NGO partners.
Cautionary Note: Follow Public Health Announcements - Get Vaccinated!
The typical seasonal flu infects and kills thousands of Americans each year. In spring 2009, the world experienced the added danger of a global pandemic resulting from an outbreak of the H1N1 Influenza A virus along the Mexican and U.S. border. That "first wave" of the outbreak was mildly virulent, killings hundreds of school-aged youth and immuno compromised adults. Nevertheless, the outbreak resulted in substantial global media attention over concerns about how virulent the "second wave" of the virus might become. The World Health Organization has declared the virus a Phase Six pandemic for H1N1, the highest Pandemic Influenza Phase. Governments across the globe have worked with drug companies to prepare a vaccine that is estimated be available in mid-October.
The second wave of H1N1 progressed rapidly in the Southern hemisphere during their recent flu season - with some increase in its virulence. As the United States enters the fall/winter flu season, we also face the uncertainty of how virulent the current "second wave" of the outbreak will be and how the vaccine will mitigate against the spread of this virus - and, whether or not the virus will mutate to resist drug treatments for those already infected.
To date, there have been 593 deaths in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been 2,185 deaths reported worldwide by the World Health Organization. Due to the infection rate in school-aged children, schools, colleges and universities continue to monitor outbreaks to help minimize the spread and to save lives. As of now, it is unclear if the "second wave" will be any more or less deadly than the typical seasonal flu but public health officials are preparing for the worst.
As the current outbreak continues, virulence will be monitored vigilantly; however, extreme mitigation measures are not currently recommended. Meanwhile, faith communities and religious leaders should continue to encourage their community members to follow public health announcements and practice transmission precautions such as “social distancing,” washing hands frequently, and covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing. It is particularly important to stay home if you are ill.
H1N1 also is known as "Swine Flu;" Consumption of pork products in no way causes the transmission of the virus. And, the vaccine is not made from pigs or pig by-products and in no way violates Kosher or Halal prohibitions against consuming pork.
Swine Flu Key Facts: Provides facts about Swine Influenza
Swine Flu and You: Provides answers to questions about Swine Influenza
Swine Flu Video Podcast: In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee, with the CDC Influenza Division, describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.
INFLUENZA: Pigs, People and Public Health: Public Health Fact Sheet from National Pork Board
CDC Free Flu Materials: Seasonal flu materials are free for download. Emphasis remains on outreach to high-risk groups, as well as parents of all children, health care workers, and people in the workplace.
All you have
to do is wash your hands Podcast:
This Podcast teaches children how and when to wash their hands properly
Clean Hands Saves lives:
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting
sick and spreading germs to others.
Hand
washing to reduce Disease: Recommendations to Reduce Disease Transmission from
Animals in Public Settings
CDC TV - Put
Your Hands Together: (Video) Scientists estimate that people are not washing
their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by
their hands
Cover your
Cough Posters: Stop the Spread of Germs that Make You and Others Sick! ...
Printable formats of "Cover Your Cough". Posters only available as PDF
files.
CDC flu information: Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue.
Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
Information for
Schools & Childcare... Cover Your Cough Materials. View larger image. See
the Cover Your Cough page on this site for poster and flyer formatted for use in
schools. ...
Stopping the
Spread of Germs: Stop the Spread of Germs Healthy habits at home, work, &
school; Printable Materials, flyers & posters, Cover Your Cough, Germ Stopper
Poster.
CDC
- Be a Germ Stopper: Posters and Materials: For Community and Public Settings
Like Schools and Child Care Facilities). ... Cover Your Cough also available
for health care settings.
Workplace
Planning: Includes flyers and posters, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French,
Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese...
CDC: Recommendations
for Facemask and Respirator Use: For those communities where virus has been
confirmed (April 27)
Use of
Facemasks and Respirators (SPANISH): Online guide to use of facemasks and
respirators to prevent/combat flu (May 1)
EPA Lists Antimicrobial Products Registered: A list of products effective in
fighting H1N1 on hard surfaces (May 1)
FDA,
FTC Warn Public of Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products: Press release
informing public scams to watch for during H1N1 outbreak (May 1)
Joint WHO Statement on the Safety of Pork : Notes H1N1 and safety of pork (April 30)
Health Behaviors Guideline (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress): Reference on how to decrease risk of
flu transmission
The Flu: A Guide for Parents: Questions and answers about the flu, how to protect your child, treatment, and more
Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School: Fact Sheet
Ounce of Prevention: Tips and streaming video for parents and children about the steps and benefits of effective hand washing
For Parents and Caregivers: Online guide and quick-check of H1N1 Influenza A symptoms, child sickness and prevention
Talking about the Flu: A guide for parents to help them talk about the flu with children
H1N1 and Feeding Your Baby: Information for pregnant and nursing women about the flu, and prevention methods for protecting a baby
What Pregnant Women Should Know: A guide for pregnant women that discusses the H1N1 Influenza A virus and the steps they can take to protect their baby, family
CDC: Concerned Parents and Caregivers: Information on H1N1 for parents (April 29)
CDC: Guidance on the Prevention and Treatment in Children: (April 28)
CDC: Information for Pregnant Women in Education, Child Care, and Health Care: Information for those pregnant in professions of education, child and health care (May 1)
Child Care During Flu (Courage to Care): Form for caring for children during the flu season by Courage to Care
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