On
June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled
that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was
underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to
Phase 6. TDSHS provides H1N1 flu
information for the public and health care professionals to
help prepare for and respond to this pandemic.
Novel
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new
influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus
was first detected in people in the United States in April
2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person
worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular
seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the
What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms
Video - CDC influenza expert, Joseph Bresee, M.D., describes how to recognize the signs and symptoms of swine flu including how swine flu is transmitted, appropriate medicines for treatment and steps to take to prevent or treat illness.
Video - Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands. From doorknobs to animals to food, harmful germs can live on almost everything. Handwashing may be your single most important act to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy.
Updated
federal guidelines offer state and local public health
and school officials a range of options for responding
to 2009 H1N1 influenza in schools, depending on how
severe the flu may be in their communities. The guidance
says officials should balance the risk of flu in their
communities with the disruption that school dismissals
will cause in education and the wider community.
