FDOH Update for September 23

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention

has reported that the Clinical trials for the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine for

healthy adults are going well with no adverse side effects among those

tested.

The Centers for Disease Control and Health and

Human Services recently announced that healthy adults will require just

one dose of the vaccine.

Florida Flu Information Line 1-877-352-3581

On Monday, August 24th, Florida Department of

Health launched a toll-free number to provide public health information

and updates on H1N1 Swine flu. The information line is available from 8

a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, seven days a week. Information is available in

English, Spanish and Creole.

*To align our media updates with the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention schedule, we will send a media update

each Wednesday noting any significant events that have taken place

during the reporting period. Please note that following the lead of the

Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, we will

no longer be collecting numbers of confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu cases.

Additional laboratory confirmed H1N1

Swine Flu deaths have been verified in the following: A 28-year-old male

in Brevard County, a 37-year-old male in Duval County, a 54-year-old

male in St. Johns County, and a 49-year-old male in St. Lucie County.

While most cases of H1N1 Swine Flu are mild, there are exceptions.

Pre-existing health conditions often play a role in how individuals

react to the flu. To-date, there have been 91 laboratory confirmed H1N1

Swine Flu deaths in Florida.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to

the family and friends of these individuals, " said Surgeon General Dr.

Ana Viamonte Ros. " H1N1 Swine Flu, like seasonal flu, can in some

circumstances be very serious, therefore, all of us should continue to

adhere to good health practices including, stay home if sick, cover

cough and sneeze, and wash hands frequently."

The Department of Health continues

its enhanced surveillance and outreach to physicians, hospitals, and

other health care professionals. The surveillance system, consisting of

sentinel physicians reporting influenza activity, DOH laboratories

receiving specimens from physicians and hospitals, and our ability to

monitor emergency room cases is fully operational. We have activated our

response plan and are ready to respond if needed.

The World Health Organization

(WHO) alert level is at Phase 6 "pandemic." The pandemic (WHO level

6) status is based on geographic distribution and not the severity of

swine flu. In effect the WHO is saying that swine flu H1N1 is now

circulating world-wide.

The State Surgeon General provided these

recommendations:

People with respiratory illness should stay

home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including

influenza, to others in the community.

* Avoid close contact with people who

are coughing or otherwise appear ill.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and

mouth.

* Wash hands frequently to lessen the

spread of respiratory illness.

People experiencing cough, fever and fatigue,

possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their

physician.

If you think you have influenza, please call

your health care provider and discuss whether you need to be seen in

their office, emergency department or stay home.

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For up-to-date information about H1N1 Swine Flu visit