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ADHS Lab Set to Test for H7N9 Influenza

April 26th, 2013

China is continuing to report more and more cases of the new H7N9 Influenza virus.  So far they’ve confirmed 108 cases with a death rate of about 20% (21 deaths)   All the cases appear to have jumped from birds to humans- meaning that there’s no human-to-human transmission (which is good).  One concern is that if a person becomes infected with a seasonal influenza strain and the new H7N9 strain at the same time the viruses could exchange RNA and create a new strain that could be communicable humans to human (which would be bad).

Our Arizona State Laboratory ordered the H7N9 influenza test kits from the CDC this week- and we’ll receive them this morning.  Our team will run the first H7N9 test on a sample that came in Thursday evening from a sick AZ resident with a travel history to the parts of China that have been reporting H7N9 influenza.  It’s a very low suspect case.

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Next Season’s Influenza Vaccine

March 5th, 2013

Just as our influenza season winds down (and it is), it’s time to plan for the next one.  Every February the World Health Organization convenes a panel of experts to look at the most current data on the circulating flu strains from around the world and makes recommendations for the next season’s Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine.  At this week’s meeting in Geneva, the group recommended changing a B component of the vaccine, but sticking with the A/H3N2 and A/H1N1 components for next year. 

It may seem too early to be thinking about next year’s flu vaccine, but planning in February allows time for vaccine companies to grow the viruses and process the vaccine. The vaccine-making process still takes about 6 months… so it’s important to start as early as possible to ensure that vaccine is available for the start of the next flu season. Getting vaccinated against the flu every year is important, especially because the vaccine strains can change from year to year, as will happen for the 2013-2014 season.

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Strategic National Stockpile Readiness

February 27th, 2013

The CDC’s “Strategic National Stockpile” is a large quantity of medicine and medical supplies that are available to states in case there’s a public health emergency (flu outbreak, asteroid, etc.) severe enough to cause local health supplies to run out.  Once federal and local authorities agree that the stockpile is needed, meds and supplies are delivered to any state in time for them to be effective. Each state is responsible for receiving and distributing the stockpile assets to local communities fast. 

Our Public Health Emergency Preparedness shop is responsible for the overall planning and execution in AZ.  The Plan (which isn’t posted on-line for security reasons) provides a step by step approach to accessing and distributing pharmaceuticals, vaccines and other medical equipment and products stored by the Feds.  Our Plan is evaluated yearly by the CDC.  The review covers every aspect of our plan… including how we communicate with the public, work with our healthcare and Agency partners as well as how we plan to work with vulnerable populations should SNS assets be needed. 

This year we got a score of 93% from the CDC…  and our partner counties (Pinal and Maricopa) received similar scores- demonstrating that the plans work together effectively to serve the public when they need to be activated.  We’ll be testing these plans during a full-scale exercise this week.  Congratulations to our preparedness rock-stars Teresa Ehnert, Marcus Castle, Stacey Cain and the whole emergency preparedness team! 

By the way…  we received and executed stockpile assets (antiviral medications and other healthcare supplies) during the 2009 H1N1 Influenza pandemic.  Our turnaround time from the minute we received the first shipment until everything was at its local destination was less than 36 hours- an impressive testament to our ability to plan and execute during a public health emergency. 

 

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The Worst is Over for Flu this Season

February 21st, 2013

This year’s flu really packed a wallop all across the country.  In Arizona we’ve had almost 250% more cases than last year so far.  But the good news is, this week’s flu report shows we’re on the downhill slope.  We’ve seen fewer new cases in the past couple weeks – but it’s not completely gone. 

 So you should still stay home from work if you’re sick and keep the kids home from school.  Also don’t forget about coughing and sneezing into your sleeve or a tissue.  And wash your hands – a good practice not just to keep away the flu, but all kinds of germs.

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Influenza Still Increasing in AZ

January 25th, 2013

Yesterday afternoon’s weekly flu report shows that influenza is still circulating widely in AZ…  with a steep increase in the last couple of weeks.  The strain that’s circulating is mostly Type A - H3N2 which can be more severe than the 2009 H1N1, especially for seniors. There are plenty of B strains going around too.  But you can still find a vaccine through Stop the Spread AZ – just be sure to call the place first to make sure they still have it and if you need an appointment.  By the way- this year’s vaccine is still a perfect match for the circulating strains.  The best prevention besides getting vaccinated is to wash your hands and make sure you cough or sneeze into your sleeve instead of your hand.  Most importantly…  don’t send your kids to school sick and don’t go to work sick either.

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Influenza Going Gangbusters in US and AZ

January 10th, 2013

During the 2009- 2010 influenza pandemic, we saw how influenza can be unpredictable in terms of who it affects most, when it occurs, and what strains will circulate. This season is no exception. While the circulating strains are exactly what we predicted, the peak of the flu season is hitting earlier than usual (now) and it’s really spreading fast.  In fact, this week’s new Influenza Activity Report moved us into the “Widespread” category along with just about all the other states.  The CDC Summary Site will probably be updated today with the latest US data.  I bet just about every state will be on widespread status. 

In AZ, a few of our licensed medical facilities are currently on “Divert or Caution” meaning that they are at or near capacity with sick folks.  Our Licensing team will be in contact with several hospitals today.  Many are managing patient flow by prioritizing medical procedures and postponing those that are optional in order to save space and staffing for acutely sick folks.  We’ve given a couple of facilities permission to make adjustments to their normal procedures to better serve sick patients.

Preparedness is working on bed polls and communication with the county health officers/counties and media. We’ll continue to reach out to facilities to find out about capacity issues and work with them on messaging for alternate care sites and transferring patients within their own facilities. 

It’s too late to get the flu shot for the folks that are sick with influenza right now.  But if you haven’t gotten sick yet and have been putting it off- you better get on the stick. 

 

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New Flu Application Released by CDC

January 7th, 2013

The CDC released a free application last month that allows users to access current influenza recommendations and influenza activity updates. You can click here to download. You’ll be able to check our where we are relative to the rest of the country and view the new methods of analysis presented on the new site.  On our flu website you’ll be able to get more state specific analysis…  including surveillance that shows our cases are headed up about 2 months earlier than last year…  and that the circulating strains match the vaccine- meaning that the flu shot continues to provide good protection this year.

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RSV on the Upswing in AZ

December 12th, 2012

We’re off to an early start with the flu and RSV season this year with more cases reported in November than in previous seasons. Respiratory syncytial virus (or RSV) is a respiratory virus that mainly affects little kids and circulates during the winter. There’s no vaccine for RSV- but for those babies that are at highest risk (premature infants), doctors can give a preventive treatment throughout the season. The number of cases is still pretty small (about 100 so far this year), but we’ve had a 40% increase in cases over last year. That doesn’t always mean that there will be more cases this season, but it may just be a sign that our cases will happen earlier. 

Once RSV infections begin to increase we usually have high levels for a few months. Doctors who give RSV antibody to high-risk infants might want to start incorporate this info into their treatment plans soon- and it’s time for hospitals to start thinking about implementing their RSV prevention plans. Our flu numbers have also been high for this season (cases this week double from last week), so now is the perfect time to go out and get your flu shot. If you want to keep a watch on the numbers, our flu and RSV website has a host of useful information including periodic reports.

 

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Flu Down Under- 2012

August 24th, 2012

The Southern Hemisphere has its flu season during our Summer- so every year around now we watch influenza activity “down under” to get an idea of what we might expect for our upcoming flu season.   Here’s the scoop right now.  Flu south of the equator has already peaked and continues to decline.  There’s been a lot of variation in the dominant viruses in each country this season.  Many South American countries have mostly had the H1N1 “pandemic strain” while others like Southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand all had a lot of influenza A (H3N2), with co-circulation of influenza B.  You can check out more on the World Health Organization’s main influenza website and the Australian Health Ministry’s surveillance website.  

The formula in this year’s US vaccine is a good match for what’s been circulating in the Southern Hemisphere so far this year (Influenza A H3N2 and H1N1, and influenza B).   Some of the manufacturers of the vaccine have already delivered some doses- and you’ll no doubt start seeing those “flu shots here” signs at a pharmacy near you shortly.

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H7N3

June 29th, 2012

Remember the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic?  That brand new virus that caused the pandemic was a combination of RNA from four different flu viruses – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe.  The natural laboratories for new influenza viruses that end up causing pandemics (like the ’09 pandemic) are birds and pigs- so it’s important to pay attention to new viruses that emerge in these species so interventions can be implemented to manage outbreaks and potentially prevent human outbreaks or even pandemics. 

Last week Mexican veterinary authorities found a new strain of influenza virus called H7N3 that has been infecting and killing large numbers of poultry at several large commercial farms.  This is the first major outbreak in Mexican flocks since the country battled H5N2 influenza virus in the mid 1990s.  Luckily, there are no human cases and no suggestion yet that it is a kind of virus that can infect humans- but it’s still important to follow up on  Follow-up report No. 1 (25/06/2012). 

By the way- the Influenza virus strains get their names from compounds called hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.  The H in the name refers to the kind Hemagglutinin on the virus and the N stands for the strain of Neuraminidase on the virus.

 

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