H1N1 Influenza Virus
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
What is the H1N1 Influenza Virus?
• New Strain of Influenza Virus
– First Detected in April 2009 in the U.S.
• Originally Called “Swine Flu”
– Initial Tests Showed Many Genes Similar to
Influenza Virus the Occurs in Pigs
– Further Studies - New Virus is Very
Different from Viruses in North American
Pigs
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
Current H1N1 Flu Outbreak
• In the U.S., as of May 18 2009:
– 5123 Confirmed/Probable Cases
– 5 Fatalities
• Texas–3, Washington-1, Arizona-1
– 553 Confirmed/Probable Cases in California
• April 26, 2009 – U.S. Dept. of Homeland
Security Declared a Public Health
Emergency
• April 28, 2009 – Governor Schwarzenegger
Declared a State of Emergency in
California
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
U.S. Public Health Emergency
• Declaration of Public Health Emergency
– Funds Released to Support Public Health Response
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Help States
Respond to Outbreak:
– Issue Guidance Documents
– Release 1/4 of Strategic National Stockpile Anti-Viral
Drugs, Respirators, & Protective Equipment
• Laboratory Testing – H1N1 Influenza Virus is
Susceptible to Prescription Antiviral Drugs
– Oseltamivir (Tamiflu ®) & Zanamivir (Relenza ®)
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
1918 Pandemic Flu (Spanish Flu)
• 1918 Influenza Flu Outbreak
– Estimated 70 to 100 Million Deaths Worldwide
• First Wave – Beginning March 1918
– Mild Seasonal Flu Virus
• Second Deadly Wave – Summer/Fall of 1918
– Virus Mutated to a More Deadly Strain
– Majority of the Fatalities – In the Second Wave
• Primarily in the 20 to 40 Year Old Age Range
• Current H1N1 Outbreak May Return in the Fall
– Need to Prepare
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
University of California
Pandemic Flu Response
• UCOP Activated Its Emergency Operation Center
(EOC) from April 30 – May 8, 2009 to Coordinate
the UC Systemwide Response
• Each UC Campus Has:
– Developed a Pandemic Flu Response Plan
– Conducted a Pandemic Flu Table Top Exercise at the
2007 UC Risk Summit
– Coordinated with Local Health Officers
• UC Medical Centers – One of the Primary
Resource Centers for their Local Community
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
UCOP Information on H1N1
• Questions on H1N1 Influenza?
– For UCOP Employees:
• Send an e-mail to EOC@ucop.edu
– From Media or Other External Source
•
• Direct Them to the UCOP Communications Office at
Communications@ucop.edu
Health Alert
Periodic Health Alerts
– Distributed As New Information Becomes Available
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
UCOP Emergency
Operations Webpage
• UCOP Webpage, Under “Headlines” or
• http://www.ucop.edu/riskmgt/emergprep/eonews
• Information on H1N1 Flu, including
– Recent Announcements
– Travel Advisories
– Useful Links
Travel Advisory
• UCOP Health Alerts
• Government Agency Webpage Links
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
Preventive Measures at UCOP
• Wall Mounted Hand Sanitizer Units
– Near Elevator Lobby Areas
• Prepared to Adjust the Building Ventilation for
More Outside Air (as Needed) at UC-Owned
Buildings
• Redirected Housekeeping Resources to Increase
the Wiping Down of Common Surfaces
– Door Handles, Bathrooms, Tables, Elevators, etc.
• UCOP has Request Similar Measures Be Take
By the Landlord at UCOP Leased Locations
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
Spread of Infection
• Infected Person Can Infect Others:
– Beginning 1 Day Before Symptoms
Develop
– Up to 7 Days or More After Becoming
Sick
– Younger Children – May Be Contagious
for Longer Periods
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
Routes of Exposure to Spread the
Infection
• Primary Exposure Route – Person to Person
– Inhalation of Airborne Droplets from Infected
Person Coughing or Sneezing
• Secondary Route of Exposure -Viruses on
Surfaces
– Can Live on Surfaces for 2 Hours or More
– Person Touching Contaminated Tables,
Doorknobs, Desks, Then Touching Face, Eyes,
Nose, or Mouth
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
Prevention Measures
• Cough/Sneeze - Cover Nose/Mouth with Tissue
or Sneeze into the Sleeve
– Dispose Used Tissues in the Trash
• Wash Hand with Soap & Water (At Least 20
Seconds) or Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers
• Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose, or Mouth
• Avoid Contact with Sick People
– If Sick, Stay at Home Away from Work or School and
Limit Contact with Others
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
H1N1 Flu Symptoms
• Symptoms
–
–
–
–
–
–
Fever
Body Aches
Runny Nose
Sore Throat
Nausea
Vomiting or Diarrhea
• If Concerned About Symptoms –
Contact Your Health Care Provider
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
Emergency Warning Symptoms
• Adults
• Children
– Difficulty
breathing or
shortness of
breath
– Pain or pressure in
chest or abdomen
– Sudden dizziness
– Confusion
– Severe or
persistent
vomiting
– Fast breathing or trouble
breathing
– Bluish skin color
– Not drinking enough fluids
– Not waking up or not interacting
– Being so irritable that child does
not want to be held
– Flu-like symptoms improve but
then return with fever and worse
cough
– Fever with a rash
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
Travel
• Conditions Constantly Change
• UCOP Travel Advisory Website:
www.ucop.edu/riskmgt/emergprep/eon
ews/advisory.html
– Information About UC Travel Insurance
– Link to the CDC Travel Advisory Website
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
Eating or Preparing Pork
• H1N1 Influenza Virus – Not Spread By Food
• Cannot Get the H1N1 Influenza From Eating
Pork or Pork Products
• Eating Properly Handled and Prepared Pork
Products is Safe
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting
In Summary
• Best Precautions
– Stay Healthy & Get Plenty of Rest
– Wash Your Hands Frequently
– Avoid Contact with Persons Who Are Sick
• If Sick, Stay at Home, Away from
Work/School
• The H1N1 Influenza Virus May Return in the
Fall
– The University of California and All Employees
Must Prepare for Its Possible Return as a Mutated
Virus
UCOP May 2009 Safety Meeting