Past Updates from the Clinician Listserv

Update Sent March 15, 2010

NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only and may not provide our most accurate and up-to-date information. The most current Clinician's information can be found on the Clinician Home Page.

The following updates were made to CDC information and guidance from Mar 08 – Mar 15, 2010. If you have any questions on these or other clinical issues, please write to us at coca@cdc.gov.

Today's topics Include:

Upcoming COCA Call
Haiti Earthquake
Influenza Situation Update
2009 Influenza Key Points and Messages
2009 H1N1 Influenza Resources for Clinicians
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Food and Drug Safety

Upcoming COCA Call

Influenza Vaccine Update
CDC experts will provide an update on influenza vaccine and Vaccine Adverse Event Report System (VAERS). This call will cover Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for use of influenza vaccines; recent epidemiologic findings and vaccine coverage for groups at higher risk for influenza-related complications; U.S. safety monitoring in place for 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) monovalent vaccines; and preliminary findings from the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.
Date: March 23, 2010 (Tuesday)
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (EST)
Speakers: Anthony Fiore, MD and Karen Broder, MD
Call-In: 888-566-6585
Passcode: 9411583

Haiti Earthquake

Guidance for Healthcare Providers Assisting Travelers Preparing for Haiti Earthquake Response – CDC – Mar 12
This notice is to advise healthcare providers who are assisting patients, such as relief workers, preparing to travel to Haiti for response following the January 12th earthquake near Port-au-Prince.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/healthcare-providers-haiti-earthquake-response.aspx

Guidance for Relief Workers and Others Traveling to Haiti for Earthquake Response
– CDC – Mar 12
This notice is to advise relief workers and other personnel traveling to Haiti to assist with the humanitarian response following the January 12th earthquake near Port-au-Prince. Conditions in the area remain hazardous, including extensive damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/relief-workers-haiti.aspx

Earthquake Information for Clinicians
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/clinicians.asp

CDC Travelers’ Health: Haiti Earthquake and Travel
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/haiti-earthquake-travel.aspx

CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response Earthquake Information http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/

Influenza Situation Update

Weekly FluView Map and Surveillance Report – CDC – Mar 12
During week 9 (February 28 – March 6, 2010), influenza activity remained at approximately the same levels as last week in the U.S. One hundred and seventy four (5.1%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from August 30, 2009 to Mar 06, 2010 - CDC – Mar 12
FluView reports that for the week of February 28 – March 6, 2010, flu activity in the United States remained at approximately the same level as the previous week. All subtyped influenza A viruses reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/us/#totalcases

WHO Updates International H1N1 Situation - WHO – Mar 12
As of 7 March 2010, worldwide more than 213 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 16,713 deaths.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_03_12/en/index.html

2009 Influenza Key Points and Messages

Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways, including when they begin, how severe they are, how long they last and which viruses will spread and when. There were more uncertainties than usual for the 2009-2010 flu season because of the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (previously called "novel H1N1" or "swine flu").
Though flu activity has declined since late October, there are still uncertainties surrounding the rest of this flu season, including the possibility of the circulation of seasonal influenza viruses and ongoing circulation of 2009 H1N1 viruses. Flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, but it is expected to continue for several more weeks.
In past pandemics, flu activity has occurred in waves and it’s possible that the United States could experience another wave of flu activity in the winter or spring of 2010 or localized outbreaks.

2009 H1N1 Influenza Resources for Clinicians

HHS/CDC NIVW Webinar: 2009 H1N1 Influenza and its Impact on People with Chronic Medical
– CDC – Mar 10
During the webinar, the presenters answered questions from participants. This document contains additional questions and answers that followed this webinar.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/pdf/faq_nivw.pdf
http://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/confcall_archive.asp

American College Health Association (ACHA) Influenza Vaccination Letter – CDC – Mar 8
This is a letter developed jointly by the American College Health Association (ACHA) and CDC intended for distribution to colleges and universities across the country prior to Spring Break. The message to students is: Don't let influenza spoil your plans for Spring Break! Take the opportunity to get vaccinated before leaving for Spring Break and protect yourself, friends and family against 2009 H1N1 flu. The letter can be viewed at: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/ACHA_Influenza_Vaccination_Letter.htm

Flu Print Materials Available in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hmong, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese – CDC – Mar 11
This year's flu materials are now available in additional languages. Materials include messaging to address both Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu (sometimes called "swine flu") recommendations.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/additional_print.htm
Locate all H1N1 Flu guidance documents
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/

H1N1 Information for Healthcare Providers
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinicians/

Emergency Preparedness & Response

Key Facts About Flood Readiness – CDC – Mar 12
For some basic steps to take to prepare for the storm please click on the following link:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/readiness.asp

Flood Safety Awareness Week March 15-19, 2010 – FEMA – Mar 12
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-sponsored 2010 National Flood Safety Awareness Week, observed March 15-19. Flooding is a coast to coast threat in the United States and its territories in all months of the year, irrespective of local “flood seasons.” According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster.
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema

Spring Ahead To Prepare For Disasters – FEMA – Mar 11
Daylight Savings Time in the United States starts on the second Sunday in March of each year and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages all Americans to use the change to daylight savings time to update emergency preparedness plans.
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema

Food and Drug Safety

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts – FDA – Mar 12
For additional information on recent FDA recalls, market recalls & safety alerts please click on the following link: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm

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