Swine Flu (H1N1 Virus) Information and Advisories

Feb. 11, 2010: Flu screening to end on Feb. 14

Image of the H1N1 Virus Due to the decreased incidence of swine flu this past month, the last day of screening for influenza like illness (ILI) at the front entrance of the hospital, in the Emergency Room and at the UHC clinic entrance will be February 14. In addition, when the clinics open for business on Monday, Feb. 15, they will no longer need to screen patients for ILI.

Please make note that after February 14:

Children will again be permitted to visit the inpatient units.
Employees who did not take the H1N1 vaccine will no longer need to wear a mask during routine patient contact after February 14.

Measures that should be continued after February 14 are as follows:

If patients present to the health system with ILI, they need to be separated from the rest of the patients and All Barrier Precautions (gown, gloves, and surgical mask) need to be used.
Employees who believe they may have an ILI should go home and not work
H1N1 vaccine and seasonal vaccine are still available in the employee health center and in our inpatient and outpatient clinics.
Clinics are still required to send the ILI report daily to Healthcare Epidemiology and the vaccine log to pharmacy.

It is important to note that the screening program could be re-instituted if there is a resurgence of influenza. Should this become necessary, appropriate notification will be made at that time.

Information about H1N1 Pandemic from the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to track the spread of the new H1N1 virus in the United States. (http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/):

Background
Learn about the emergence of the novel H1N1 virus in the United States and WHO's declaration of a novel H1N1 pandemic.

General Information
Basic information about H1N1 flu and you, including how to take care of a sick person and what to do if you get sick.

Facts and Figures
A summary of key novel H1N1 disease characteristics.

FluView
A weekly influenza surveillance report prepared by the Influenza Division.

International Situation Update
The Southern Hemisphere is in the middle of its flu season, and we have reports of what is happening there

Información en español
Datos importantes sobre la influenza H1N1…