Swine Flu Update : Department of Health Update on H1N1

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention has reported that the Clinical trials for the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine for healthy adults are going well with no adverse side effects among those tested.

The Centers for Disease Control and Health and Human Services recently announced that healthy adults will require just one dose of the vaccine.

Florida Flu Information Line 1-877-352-3581

On Monday, August 24th, Florida Department of Health launched a toll-free number to provide public health information and updates on H1N1 Swine flu. The information line is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, seven days a week. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole.

*To align our media updates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention schedule, we will send a media update each Wednesday noting any significant events that have taken place during the reporting period. Please note that following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, we will no longer be collecting numbers of confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu cases.

Additional laboratory confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu deaths have been verified in the following: An 82-year-old male in Alachua County, a 46-year-old female in Charlotte County, a 44-year-old male in Miami-Dade County, a 52-year-old female in Duval County, a 14-year-old male in Highlands County, a 52-year-old male in Pinellas County, a 46-year-old female in Polk County, a 27-year-old male in Sarasota County, a 52-year-old male in St. Lucie County, and a 53-year-old female in Volusia County. While most cases of H1N1 Swine Flu are mild, there are exceptions. Pre-existing health conditions often play a role in how individuals react to the flu. To-date, there have been 87 laboratory confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu deaths in Florida.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of these individuals, " said Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros. " H1N1 Swine Flu, like seasonal flu, can in some circumstances be very serious, therefore, all of us should continue to adhere to good health practices including, stay home if sick, cover cough and sneeze, and wash hands frequently."

The Department of Health continues its enhanced surveillance and outreach to physicians, hospitals, and other health care professionals. The surveillance system, consisting of sentinel physicians reporting influenza activity, DOH laboratories receiving specimens from physicians and hospitals, and our ability to monitor emergency room cases is fully operational. We have activated our response plan and are ready to respond if needed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) alert level is at Phase 6 "pandemic." The pandemic (WHO level 6) status is based on geographic distribution and not the severity of swine flu. In effect the WHO is saying that swine flu H1N1 is now circulating world-wide.

The State Surgeon General provided these recommendations:

People with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.

§ Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.

§ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

§ Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.

People experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.

If you think you have influenza, please call your health care provider and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office, emergency department or stay home.