Wendell News Outlet

SWINE FLU UPDATE

Department of Homeland Security

Updated 4/27/09 at 17:50 p.m.

On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency related to the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the cases reported in the United States.

This is a precautionary tool that the federal government uses often to make sure that we have the resources we need for a developing situation.

This declaration will allow for resources to be provided for federal, state and local agencies to prevent and mitigate this disease as well as the expanded use of medication and diagnostic tests.

We also announced that we have 50 million treatment courses of antiviral drugs (Tamiflu and Relenza) in the Strategic National Stockpile, and that we are releasing 25 percent of those courses, making them available to all states, but prioritizing the affected states.

Seven million treatment courses of Tamiflu have been procured and strategically positioned by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is heavily involved in monitoring and testing to make sure there is no issue with our food supply. So far, no incidents have been reported. Swine flu cannot be contracted by eating pork.

DHS continues its two-fold focus: ensuring the integrity of the border and other ports of entry, and protecting our workforce.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is pre-positioning resources for every duty station and each employee, including Personal Protective Equipment, Meals Ready to Eat, water, on-hand medications and fuel.

CBP has also implemented passive surveillance protocols to screen for ill individuals that may arrive at our borders. All persons entering the United States from a location with reported human infection of swine flu will be processed through all appropriate CBP protocols.

Travelers presenting symptoms, if and when encountered, will be isolated per our established protocols. CBP will provide Personal Protective Equipment for suspected infected travelers.

If and when a situational need develops, all CBP sites can implement procedures for the arrival and deployment of additional personnel to support operations.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has instituted similar protocols at airports, passively looking for those exhibiting flu-like symptoms and taking the appropriate measures.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has pre-positioned millions of masks for its law enforcement and mission-critical personnel throughout the United States. In addition, 15 mobile trailers with emergency supplies have been pre-staged at various ICE field offices.

Currently, ICE has no confirmed cases within the detainee population. All ICE detention facilities have a plan addressing the management of infectious and communicable diseases, which includes coordination with public health authorities.

Individuals should take responsibility for their own health by following these steps to prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

• If you get sick with influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Additional Updates:

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director John Berry distributed a memo on April 26 to federal employees providing advice for limiting the spread of flu viruses as a result of the current outbreak.

The Department of State, at the advice of health officials at the CDC, announced a travel advisory recommending citizens avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico. The travel advisory will remain in effect until public health officials determine the risk from the outbreak has subsided.

The U.S. Government has been actively and aggressively responding to the swine flu outbreak over the past several days. The World Health Organization’s (W.H.O.) recent decision to raise the pandemic alert level is a response to the ongoing outbreak for which we have already been taking action to mitigate.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

FAQ’s

Updated 04.27.09 at 7:20 p.m.

How will the U.S government respond to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to raise the alert level?

For the last several days, the federal government has already been taking actions consistent with what the WHO recommends for phase 4, such as increased surveillance and heightened communications designed to reduce the risk of exposure.

Will the United States Government issue a travel advisory to avoid travel to Mexico?

After consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State Department issued a travel advisory on Monday recommending citizens avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. The travel advisory will remain in effect until public health officials determine the risk from the outbreak has subsided.

The State Department will continue to keep American citizens currently in Mexico and those considering travel to Mexico informed through the Warden Message system. This information is available at state.gov, travel.state.gov and through the U.S. Embassy in Mexico at http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_public_announcement.html

DHS along with federal partners continue to consult with CDC to determine appropriate public health measures. In addition to he measures we are currently taking, the U.S. is considering many of the relevant actions recommended, including implementing layered screening measures. The measures we are currently undertaking are fully consistent with the U.S. Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan, which we operate as an obligation under the International Health Regulations.

Who has the authority to order quarantines?

Local, state, and federal public health officials can issue quarantines under each jurisdiction’s legal authority. At the state and local level, each state has varying laws for implementing quarantines. Most, however, allow for local and state public health agencies to issue quarantine orders supported by local law enforcement.

At the federal level, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has established legal federal authorities pertaining to the implementation of a quarantine and enforcement. Under approval from HHS, the Surgeon General has the authority to issue quarantines necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission or spread of communicable diseases.

In addition, U.S. Customs and Coast Guard Officers assist in the enforcement of quarantine orders. Other DOJ law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Marshals, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) may also enforce quarantines. Military personnel are not authorized to engage in enforcement.

Is the National Pandemic Strategy and Implementation Plan in effect?

Yes.

What role, if any, does the FEMA administrator play in the ongoing response, as principal domestic emergency management advisor to the president?

Absent a Stafford Act Declaration, FEMA is monitoring the current outbreak and is ready to position assets to assist state and local jurisdictions as the need arises.

Is there a pre-designated pandemic national Principal Federal Official (PFO)? Who is it?

As announced by the White House on April 26, Secretary Napolitano is the national principal federal official.

Are there regional PFOs and Federal Coordinating Officers for pandemic, and who are they?

Yes, there are five regional PFO positions and 10 deputy PFO’s. Each team also includes a Federal Coordinating Official from FEMA. Currently, the department is reviewing staffing requirements should PFO teams need to be deployed.

Have there been national pandemic exercises, how many and when?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), CDC, and other federal departments and agencies have participated in numerous regional and national-level exercises over the past four years. In addition, the Federal Government has ensured that states have finalized and exercised plans.

Are there current plans to shut down the border?

No. DHS is consulting closely with the CDC to determine appropriate public health measures. The CDC does not recommend closing the border as an effective public health measure at this time.

What steps are you taking to prevent those with flu-like symptoms from crossing the border?

As part of Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) routine procedures, if someone crossing the border appears ill, the person is referred to a CDC quarantine station or a local public health official for evaluation. There is no mandatory quarantining at this time. If a person tests positive for influenza, a sample is sent to the CDC for confirmation.

Who is taking the lead on behalf of the federal government?

Secretary Napolitano and the Department of Homeland Security have the overall lead for coordinating the federal response to the current swine influenza outbreak in the United States. The Department is closely coordinating with HHS and CDC.

posted by Administrator  # 8:00 PM