Past Updates from the Clinician Listserv

Update Sent February 01, 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 Jan 25 - Feb 01, 2010. If you have any questions on these or other clinical issues, please write to us at coca@cdc.gov.

Today's topics Include:

Haiti Earthquake
2009 Influenza Situational Update
2009 Influenza Key Points and Messages
2009 H1N1 Resources for Clinicians
Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Journal
Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
Food and Drug Safety

Haiti Earthquake

HHS Emergency Response in Haiti: Summary Report, Jan. 30 - HHS - Jan 30
The HHS medical teams have reported seeing more than 20,800 patients so far, including approximately 2,200 on Jan. 29. Since they began seeing patients Jan 17, HHS medical teams have performed 71 surgeries and delivered 26 babies. HHS currently has approximately 270 people deployed in Haiti to support relief efforts. The remainder of the report can be viewed at:
http://www.hhs.gov/haiti/summaryrept01302010.html

Information for Clinicians - CDC - Jan 30
The Information for Clinicians webpage provides clinicians with a list of resources for potential health concerns that patients may present either on the ground or returning from Haiti. Some of the resources included were developed for other types of disasters but have information that can be applied to the Haiti response efforts. These resources are being updated as needed at the following site: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/clinicians.asp

Important Health Information for Parents Adopting Children from Haiti during the 2010 Earthquake Recovery - CDC - Jan 29
Even before the 2010 earthquake, the health of many Haitian orphans was very poor. Serious infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis (TB), are a concern in Haiti. High rates of malnutrition is also a serious concern. Orphans tend to be greatly affected by these health issues. Therefore, it is very important that children coming to the United States from Haiti are screened for such illnesses so that they can be treated as soon as possible.
http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/parents-adopting-children-haiti-earthquake.html

Health Alert Notices - CDC - Jan 29
CDC has developed a Health Alert Notices that identify potential health problems that arrivals from Haiti should watch for and share with their clinicians. The Health Alert Notices can be found in English, French, and Haitian Creole at: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/haiti-earthquake-travel.aspx

Traveler’s Health
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

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

2009 Influenza Situation Update

Weekly FluView Map and Surveillance Report - CDC - Jan 29
Updated CDC FluView for 2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 03 ending January 23, 2010. All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from August 30 to January 02, 2010 - CDC - Jan 29
Flu activity remained at the same levels this week in the United States during the week of January 17 - 23, 2010, as reported in FluView. No states reported widespread influenza activity, five states reported regional influenza activity. Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness and flu-associated hospitalizations decreased from the previous week. Flu-associated deaths remain the same form the previous week and is higher than expected for this time of year.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/us/#totalcases

WHO Updates International H1N1 Situation - WHO- Jan 29
As of 24 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 14,711 deaths.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_01_29/en/index.html

Summary of 2009 Monovalent H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Data – Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System - CDC - Jan 28
CDC and FDA provide weekly updates on vaccine safety monitoring activities. The information summarizes adverse event reports to VAERS after the administration of 2009 H1N1 monovalent influenza vaccine.
http://vaers.hhs.gov/resources/2010H1N1Summary_Jan28.pdf

2009 Influenza Key Points and Messages

As of Thursday, January 28, 2010, a cumulative prorata total of
147,301,010 doses had been made available for ordering since vaccine shipping began.
People should get a flu vaccine every year because after being
vaccinated, your immunity declines over time and may be too low to provide
protection after a year.
CDC continues to encourage people to get vaccinated throughout the flu
season, which can last as late as May. 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. There were more uncertainties than usual going into this flu season (2009-2010), because of the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (previously called "novel H1N1" or "swine flu").
Though flu activity has declined since the late fall, 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. 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. In addition, sporadic cases of influenza may also be detected in the summer.

2009 H1N1 Influenza Resources for Clinicians

Outbreaks of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among Long-Term-Care Facility Residents - Three States, 2009 - CDC/MMWR - Jan 29
This report summarizes three outbreaks, which involved facilities primarily housing older patients. These outbreaks illustrate that, despite the lower risk for infection with 2009 H1N1 among persons aged ≥65 years compared with seasonal influenza, 2009 H1N1 outbreaks still can occur in LTCFs. The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5903a3.htm

New and Updated Interim Guidance and Links to Resources for Clinicians

NEW: Guidance from Pediatric Stakeholders: A Coordinated Approach to Communicating Pediatric-related Information on Pandemic Influenza at the Community Level - CDC - Jan 27
The purpose of this document is to provide a suggested approach, based on input from pediatric stakeholders, to communicating pediatric-related information on pandemic influenza at the community level in a step-by-step manner. This is a suggested approach to coordinating communication and disseminating information; it can be adapted or modified to suit most communities as they see fit. The goal is to give community planners "talking points" for discussions on a coordinated approach to communication in their community.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pediatrics_tool.htm

UPDATED: Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine - CDC - Jan 27
A flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against influenza illness. This season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”). This page contains information about the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_keyfacts.htm

UPDATED: Vaccine against 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus - CDC - Jan 27
Recommendations for Vaccine against 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

Locate all H1N1 Flu guidance documents
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/

2009 H1N1 Influenza: Resources for Clinicians
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinicians/

Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Journal

The Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) journal provides recognition of new and re-emerging infections and understanding of factors involved in disease emergence, prevention, and elimination. It also represents the scientific communications component of CDC's efforts against the threat of emerging infections. See the February 2010 issue of the EID journal at the following link:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/index.htm

Health Promotion & Disease Prevention

HHS Secretary and Surgeon General Join First Lady to Announce Plans to Combat Overweight and Obesity and Support Healthy Choices - HHS - Jan 28
First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin announced plans to help Americans lead healthier lives through better nutrition, regular physical activity, and by encouraging communities to support healthy choices.
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/01/20100128c.html

Food and Drug Safety

Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Montevideo Infections - CDC -
Jan 29
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the State of Rhode Island to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Montevideo infections.
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/montevideo/index.html

Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency - USDA (US Department of Agriculture) - Jan 30
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing recommendations to those affected by dangerous winter storms, including heavy snow, sleet mixed with snow, ice, bitter cold weather, gusty winds or heavy rain in the Mid-Atlantic, the eastern portions of the Mid-West, and Southeastern regions of the United States. USDA is hopeful that this information will help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages and other problems that are often associated with severe weather events.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_013010_01/index.asp

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts - FDA - Jan 29
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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