News and Announcements
Swine Flu Fact Sheet
FACT SHEET (updated August 25, 2009)
The Clark County School District (CCSD) and the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) continue to plan for the upcoming influenza season, including the expected return of the H1N1 strain. With the start of a new school year, the health district anticipates local outbreaks of influenza among children and other groups in close proximity. To date, there have been more than 250 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases in Clark County; however, the number of reported cases represents a small percentage of residents who have been infected with H1N1 as most do not seek medical care.
Through a computerized student health record system, CCSD is able to readily review the numbers of health office visits and the signs/symptoms of students who visit the health offices of any school. Information is shared with the SNHD on an ongoing basis.
According to the SNHD:
Testing is not necessary for the readmission of children to school or daycares
Laboratory confirmation of H1N1 is not necessary for the management of patients
Patients should manage their illness as they would seasonal influenza
Non-hospitalized patients with fever and respiratory illness are advised to stay home at least 24 hours after fever is no longer present (unaided by anti-fever medication)
The public is urged to continue practicing good health habits to prevent the spread of influenza. These include:
o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
o Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
o If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
To learn about updated interim guidance for schools and child care programs regarding the prevention of the spread of the illness, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/K12_dismissal.htm.
Vaccines
This influenza season, two different flu immunizations will be available to protect against illness. There will a new H1N1 vaccine to protect against the new strain of H1N1 influenza A that will likely require two doses. There will also be a vaccine against the seasonal influenza strains that will require one dose for most people.
The health district continues to work with the state health division to plan for an H1N1 vaccination program with special immunization clinics. The health district anticipates the first H1N1 vaccine shipments will arrive locally in mid-October, and additional shipments will continue to be received through the end of the year.
The initial shipments will have limited quantities and the health district will follow the CDC guidelines with regard to special, targeted groups. These are people who more frequently experienced severe illness or complications when infected with H1N1 influenza.
As more vaccine becomes available, the health district anticipates that it will continually expand the number of people who will be eligible to receive the immunizations. The health district’s seasonal flu supply, which is different, will be available sooner and in adequate supply for everyone.
The CDC estimates that the H1N1 vaccine will likely require two doses to provide full coverage. Initial groups that are encouraged to receive the vaccine include:
Pregnant women
Caregivers or those who live with children less than six months old
Healthcare workers and emergency response personnel
Individuals between the ages of six months and 24 years old
People between the ages of 25 and 64 with chronic medical conditions, compromised immune systems, and who are at a higher risk of complications from H1N1 infection
In the event initial supplies of the H1N1 vaccine are limited, the CDC has recommended that the group of people recommended to be immunized first should be further limited to include:
Pregnant women
Caregivers or those who live with children less than six months old
Healthcare workers and emergency response personnel
Children between the ages of six months and 4 years old
Children between the ages of five and 18 who have chronic medical conditions
As more vaccine supply is delivered, additional immunization clinics will be announced. The health district also reminds Southern Nevadans about the importance of getting the seasonal flu vaccine to protect against the other strains that will be circulating at the same time.
Seasonal influenza vaccine will be available communitywide through physicians’ offices, clinics, and pharmacies. There are no anticipated shortages of seasonal influenza vaccine. People should contact their physicians or healthcare providers if they have any questions.
School Closures
The CDC recently revised its guidelines regarding school closures as a method to prevent the spread of H1N1 or any other type of influenza. In accordance with these new guidelines, Nevada guidance regarding school closures will assume schools will remain open following the confirmation of an H1N1 case among students.
Updated information regarding H1N1 is available on the Southern Nevada Health District website, www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site, www.cdc.gov and the CCSD site, www.ccsd.net.
