State, Local Schools Working Together to Address the Flu Season and Novel H1N1 Virus

Georgia’s colleges and universities and local school systems are making preparations to deal with the possible spread of the novel H1N1 flu virus.

“This year, Georgia faces a unique challenge in planning for and handling concerns about the H1N1 flu virus in our schools,” said Governor Sonny Perdue, who sent a letter this week to local school superintendents informing them of plans to continue close communications from the state. “The state is working closely with local systems and our colleges and universities to ensure we are responding in a way that will limit the spread of the virus and reduce the impact on our students.”

Earlier this year, State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox and Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner Rhonda Medows jointly communicated to local school superintendents outlining some of the steps that should be taken to prepare. In addition, Commissioner Medows will host a teleconference with superintendents tomorrow, and another is already planned for next week as well. Georgia DOE has a website for information about the H1N1 virus – www.tinyurl.com/gadoeflusite . Similar joint communications have also been sent from Commissioner Medows and University System Chancellor Erroll Davis to university and college presidents and from Commissioner Medows and Technical System Commissioner Ron Jackson to technical college presidents.

“In addition to practicing good hand hygiene, we are encouraging everyone – both students and teachers – to receive the seasonal flu shot,” Commissioner Medows said. “Those who become ill with flu symptoms should recover at home and remember to cover their mouths when coughing to reduce the spread to family and friends.”

Schools can take some simple, temporary steps to help limit the spread of the virus and reduce the workload on the public health system. For example, the state is recommending that schools not require a doctor’s note for a student to return to school because of the increased burden it places on doctors’ offices already busy treating those currently ill. Also, any students and staff that are ill should be separated from others until they can be taken home. Frequent hand-washing is encouraged, as well as the use of hand sanitizers, particularly before snacks, meals and after bathroom breaks. Schools should also reduce any focus on perfect attendance programs, which often encourage sick students to come to school when they should be at home.

“I know that the news about H1N1 Flu is unsettling for parents, students and educators, but I would encourage everyone to focus on preparation and prevention. Since last spring, the Georgia Department of Education has been working closely with the Georgia Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control on this issue,” added Superintendent Cox. “We have been regularly communicating with our local school districts and providing them with guidance, best practices and the most up-to-date information we have. Additionally, we are working with state and federal officials on plans for a mass vaccination program involving schools, should that be the recommendation of the health experts.”

In addition to precautions taken at school, parents and students can also take some simple steps to protect themselves, such as following basic personal hygiene practices such as covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Also, the Division of Public Health is recommending citizens receive the seasonal flu shot to protect against that separate strain of flu. It is also important for parents to seek care from a doctor when a child develops flu symptoms, particularly for vulnerable populations such as those with asthma or other chronic illnesses. Parents should plan for the possibility that they may have to stay home with a sick child.

“Every TCSG college should assist our faculty, staff and students with specific information to prevent the spread of the flu, including the H1N1 virus,” said Commissioner Jackson. “Knowing what to do, including practicing good hygiene, understanding flu symptoms, and seeking medical attention if sick are all essential preventative steps. It is important that our colleges work hard to help to contain the spread of the flu, especially given the size of our college system and the fact that there are thousands of people on our campuses who are studying and learning in close proximity to each other.”

The University System of Georgia has been preparing for months, well in advance of the H1N1 arrival in Georgia. USG institutions continue to work with health officials in their immediate area, monitor local conditions and increase campus community awareness of simple preventative measures. Some institutions are providing hand sanitizer dispensers in food service areas and restrooms as well as handing out small personal bottles of sanitizer.

Institutions continue to remain vigilant, share information from reliable, reputable sources and adjust emergency plans as necessary to meet the changing challenges of H1N1. All institutions have existing pandemic flu plans which include the designation of an institution pandemic response coordinator. Based on the challenges of H1N1, many institutions have adjusted their pandemic flu plans and continue to meet and talk with campus response/planning committees.

“Ensuring the health and safety of our campuses remains our utmost concern,” said Chancellor Davis. “We will continue to coordinate with local and state public health officials as we monitor and respond to any reported cases at our 35 institutions.”

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UGA College of Public Health to hold community forum on influenza virus

In an effort to engage the Athens community as a partner in prevention, the University of Georgia College of Public Health is hosting a community forum on the influenza virus. The forum will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 in room 175 of the Paul D. Coverdell Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Two physicians and a veterinarian epidemiologist will lead the forum, which is free and open to the public.

Dr. Christopher Whalen, professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health, is a physician who is board certified in infectious diseases and internal medicine. He is also a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and will provide information on preventing illness and current treatment methods.

“People should recognize the signs and symptoms of influenza-like illness—that would be fever plus respiratory symptoms such as coughing and sore throat,” Whalen said, “and they should seek advice from their physicians if they develop those symptoms.”

Dr. Steven Valeika, an infectious disease epidemiologist and veterinarian in the College of Public Health, studies the transmission of diseases that affect animal and human populations. He is especially interested in the processes that allow an infection to jump from animals to humans, as has happened with the new strain of Influenza A (H1N1), also known as “swine flu.” Valeika is a co-author on two recent articles about avian influenza.

Dr. Claude Burnett, a preventative medicine physician, is the Georgia Department of Human Resources Northeast Georgia District Health Director and an adjunct faculty member in the College of Public Health. As District Health Director, Burnett oversees and manages the operational plans for the entire health district that includes Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe and Walton counties.

At the forum, Whalen, Valeika and Burnett will provide a brief overview of the current H1N1 flu outbreak and answer questions from the community.

The symptoms of the influenza can seem mild, and individuals often go to work with a headache, muscle aches, a cough or a runny nose. Yet, in the United States alone, 36,000 people die from influenza-related complications each year. The current H1N1 virus outbreak is an example of how quickly influenza is capable of mutating and how easily new strains of the virus can emerge.

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CDC Statement on Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) Resistance and Antiviral Recommendations

On December 19, 2008, CDC issued interim guidance for health care professionals on the use of influenza antiviral medications this flu season. The guidance was issued in response to early data from a limited number of states indicating that a high proportion of influenza A (H1N1) viruses are resistant to the influenza antiviral medication oseltamivir (Tamiflu®). Worldwide, the proportion of H1N1 viruses that are resistant to oseltamivir has been increasing so this development is not surprising....More

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Fraudulent Spam E-mail Purported From FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole

A spam e-mail claiming to be from FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole is currently being circulated. This attempt to defraud is the typical e-mail scam using the name and reputation
of an FBI official to create an air of authenticity.

As with many scams, the e-mail advises the recipient that they are the beneficiary of a large sum of money which they will be permitted to access once fees are paid and personal banking information is provided. The appearance of the e-mail leads the reader to believe that it is from FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole.

This e-mail is a hoax. Do not respond.

The IC3 continues to receive and develop intelligence regarding fraud schemes misrepresenting
the FBI and/or FBI officials. The scam e-mails give the appearance of legitimacy through the use of pictures of FBI officials, seal, letter head, and/or banners.

These fraud schemes claim to be from domestic as well as international FBI offices. The typical types of schemes utilizing the names of FBI officials and/or the FBI are lottery endorsements and inheritance notifications but can cover a range of scams from threats and malicious computer program attachments (malware) to online auction scams.

These scams use the social engineering technique of employing the FBI's name to intimidate and convince the recipient the e-mail is legitimate.

Please be cautious of any unsolicited e-mail referencing the FBI, Director Mueller, Deputy Director Pistole or any other FBI official claiming that the FBI is endorsing any type of Internet activity.

Always be cautious when responding to requests or special offers delivered through
unsolicited e-mail:

* Guard your personal information as well as your account information carefully.
* You should never give any personal, credit, or banking information in response to
unsolicited e-mails.

Consumers always need to be alert to unsolicited e-mails. Do not open unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or malware. Providing your PII will compromise your identity!

If you have received this e-mail, or a similar e-mail, please file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

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FDA Clears New CDC Test to Detect Human Influenza

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today cleared a new test
developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
to diagnose human influenza infections and the highly pathogenic
influenza A (H5N1) viruses.

The device, called the Human Influenza Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Detection
and Characterization Panel (rRT-PCR Flu Panel), uses a molecular biology
technique to detect flu virus and differentiate between seasonal and
novel influenza.

The device is used to isolate and amplify viral genetic material present
in secretions taken from a patient's nose or throat. The viral genetic
material is labeled with fluorescent molecules, which are then detected
and analyzed by a diagnostic instrument called the Applied Biosystems
7500 Fast Dx, also cleared today by the FDA for diagnostic use
simultaneously with the CDC's rRT-PCR Flu Panel.

The test panel and diagnostic system can detect and identify commonly
circulating human influenza viruses as well as influenza A (H5N1)
viruses. Results can be available within four hours and the system can
test multiple samples at once.

"This is a significant achievement for public health surveillance," HHS
Secretary Mike Leavitt said. "The test allows us to better support
laboratories on the front line of influenza testing in the United States
and abroad."

"The application of the test to detect an emergent influenza virus would
be especially important in the early stages of a pandemic," Secretary
Leavitt added. "This breakthrough allows for a more timely detection of
a pandemic virus, which helps in determining when to begin broad control
strategies as well as life-saving mitigation measures, such as closing
schools, cancelling social gatherings and informing businesses to begin
work-at-home policies."

The test will be available to CDC-qualified laboratories for diagnosing
influenza this fall, and some laboratories will be able to obtain
reagents (certain substances used in the testing process) at no cost.
This test should help ensure the accuracy of influenza testing results
among the different qualified laboratories that conduct influenza
subtype testing.

"This new test provides us another tool in our toolbox to fight seasonal
influenza, a virus that unfortunately kills thousands of people each
year in the United States," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding.
"We'll now be able to detect influenza in the community faster, which
allows us to take steps more quickly to protect and save lives."

Since influenza viruses are always changing, test reagents need to be
evaluated regularly against circulating viruses to ensure the
sensitivity and specificity of the test to diagnose current influenza
viruses.

"Because the test can tell the difference between seasonal human
influenza viruses and novel viruses, it will also provide qualified
laboratories with a means to rapidly detect new influenza viruses that
have not been identified yet and that could pose a pandemic risk," said
FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner and Chief Scientist Dr. Frank Torti,
M.D., M.P.H.

The CDC, Applied Biosystems of Foster City, Calif., and the Association
of Public Health Laboratories collaborated on the development of this
new test. State public health laboratories in Virginia, Iowa,
California, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Washington performed clinical
evaluations of the new flu panel.

Scientists around the world are concerned that the H5N1 virus could one
day mutate and acquire the properties needed to quickly spread between
people, resulting in a pandemic. H5N1 viruses circulate widely in birds
in Asia, Africa and Europe and have caused human illness and death.
These viruses have never been detected in the Americas.

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