Health Advisory #5
THIS IS AN EXERCISE. THIS IS NOT A REAL EVENT
To: Vermont Hospitals, Ambulatory Care Settings, Healthcare Providers and Vermont Department of Health Personnel
From: Patsy Tassler Ph.D., Epidemiologist
Date: July 21, 2006
This advisory contains the following important information:
- Additional confirmed cases are now being reported of Influenza A H5N1 in the United States, all cases are residents of California.
- Canadian Health officials are also confirming additional cases, all among close contacts of the case reported on Monday July 17
- CDC is confirming additional cases of influenza A H5N1 among persons with recent travel history to Tokyo and Bangkok
According to CDC: the virus circulating in California is a precursor to a pandemic, as it is "relatively easily transmitted from person-to-person”.
REMINDER:
The Vermont Department of Health Requests Healthcare facilities perform surveillance for persons with symptoms of influenza with epidemiologic risks factors. Please contact the VDH @ 000-000-0000 to report the following:
- Persons with a recent travel history (less than 10 days) to Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam or Australia, and Tokyo and Bangkok, who have one or more of the following:
- temperature of ≥38°C (≥100.4° F) with cough and/or sore throat;
- pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), or other severe respiratory illness.
- Possible influenza-related admissions to hospitals and ILI-related deaths.
- Persons with close contact (within 3 feet) with other confirmed or suspected cases of avian influenza A H5N1.
- Persons with clinical and epidemiologic risk for avian influenza A H5N1 who present to a hospital should be managed with airborne precautions.
- Persons with close contact (approach within 3 feet) to an ill person confirmed or suspected to have H5N1, who do not require hospitalization, i.e., persons with mild illness or persons with only a history of exposure to a confirmed or suspected cases, can remain at home or in other community-based settings under the following conditions.
For such contacts of cases (including unprotected HCW’s) the following actions are indicated at this point in time:
- testing for H5N1 by oropharyngeal swab sent to VDHL
- asking for voluntary social distancing (i.e., quarantining these contacts)
- monitoring these contacts for symptoms, e.g., twice daily temperature readings and watching for development of other symptoms of ILI.
Additional Cases of Influenza A H5N1 in the United States and in Canada Confirmed
CDC is confirming additional cases of influenza A H5N1 in the United States. These cases include persons traveling from Australia as well as their immediate family members. Additional confirmed cases are now being reported among persons with recent travel history to Tokyo and Bangkok. All cases are among residents of California.
Canadian Health officials are also confirming additional cases, all among close contacts of the case reported on Monday July 17.
As a reminder, state and local health officials should review the recommendations provided in the Health Alert disseminated Monday July 17, 2006.
For questions about this Health Alert please contact CDC at: 000-000-0000