H1N1 Influenze Updates (Swine Flu)THE CITY OF DUBUQUE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All-American City
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) Update
DATE: April 30, 2009
Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan is transmitting information regarding the
H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) and will be providing a verbal report at the May 4 City
Council meeting.
Michael C. Van Milligen
(JH)
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All-American City
2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
SUBJECT: H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) update
DATE: April 30, 2009
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum provides information regarding local response to recent H1 N1(Swine
Flu) Influenza outbreak.
DISCUSSION
As H1 N1 (Swine Flu) information has been unfolding over the past few weeks, Federal,
State and local public health officials have been monitoring the situation. On Friday,
April 24, 2009, the first health alert was disseminated and the City of Dubuque Health
Services Department distributed guidance to health care practitioners on testing for and
treating H1 N1 (Swine Flu) Influenza. Since that time, additional health alerts have been
issued and these have been disseminated to local health care officials, along with
schools, long-term care facilities and other pertinent groups and agencies utilizing the
Communication Annex of the Public Health Bio-Emergency Preparedness Plan. In
addition to declaring H1N1 Influenza a reportable disease, the Iowa Department of
Public Health has issued specific directions for local public health agencies (see
attached). The Iowa Department of Public Health is also hosting periodic conference
calls to provide timely updates and direction.
On Wednesday, April 29, 2009, a meeting of the local Dubuque County Public Health
Preparedness Committee was called with Dr. John Viner, Medical Advisor in
attendance. The Committee reviewed the current situation, discussed communication
methods, agreed to establish a joint information center as outlined in the Bio-
Emergency Preparedness Plan, if a case occurred locally, or in the State of Iowa, and
finally, agreed to meet again when we received word that the Iowa Department of Public
Health would be distributing antivirals and personal protective equipment throughout the
state. H1 N1 testing criteria and procedures were reviewed and it was recommended
that people be directed to the Iowa Department of Public Health and Center for Disease
Control websites for the most current information or if they are unsure if they have the
most current information.
Chester J. Culver
Governor
Patty Judge
Lt. Governor
ern®ran urn
To: Healthcare Providers in Iowa
From: Tom Newton, Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health
Patricia Quinlisk, MD, MPH Medical Director/State Epidemiologist
Re: Mandatory Reporting of Swine Influenza Cases
Date Issued: April 27, 2009
Pursuant to 641 Iowa Administrative Code 1.3 (139A), I, as the director of the Iowa
Department of Public Health, temporarily designate suspected and confirmed Swine Influenza
as an immediately reportable disease in Iowa. This designation will remain in place until
further notification.
All Iowa health care providers and public, private, and hospital laboratories are required to
immediately report any suspected or confirmed cases of Swine Influenza to the department's
disease notification hotline at 1-800-362-2736. (641 IAC 1.4(1)"b"Z
DIRECTOR
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 641-1.3 (1390
Reportable diseases.
Reportable diseases are those diseases or conditions listed in subrules 1.3(1) and 1.3 2 . The director
of public health may also designate any disease, condition or syndrome temporarily reportable for the
purpose of a special investigation. Each case of a reportable disease is required to be reported to the
Iowa Department of Public Health, Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa
50319-0075, by the physician or other health practitioner attending any person having a reportable
disease and by laboratories performing tests identifying reportable diseases.
Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 1-866-227-9878 ~ ! www.idph.state.ia.us
DEAF RELAY (Hearing or Speech Impaired) 711 or 1-800-735-2942
Chester J. Culver
Governor
DATE: 29 April 2009
TO: Local Public Health Agencies
FROM: Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, MD, MPH
Medical Director
Iowa Department of Public Health
Patty Judge
Lt. Governor
SU JIECT: Influenza A (H1N1) Situation Update and Requested Actions for Local
Public Health Agencies
Background:
Two probable cases of swine influenza have been identified in Iowa. Both cases traveled to countries or states
with confirmed activity within their incubation period. Both cases have symptoms of influenza-like illness and the
University Hygienic Laboratory has determined both have influenza Anon-subtypable. At this time, the Iowa
Department of Public Health (IDPH) has determined both cases meet the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) probable case definition for Swine-Origin Influenza A (S-OIV). Confirmatory tests will be
completed at CDC within 1-2 days.
As of today in the US, a total of 91 confirmed cases have been reported in 10 states. One death was reported in a
child from Texas.
This strain ofA (H1N1) swine influenza is a novel influenza strain that may have the potential to spread person to
person. The seasonal flu vaccine is not believed to protect against this novel strain of swine influenza. Rapid
antigen screening influenza testing may be insensitive for the detection of swine influenza A and therefore is not
recommended. Viral culture also is not recommended and laboratorians are strongly discouraged from conducting
viral culture on any suspected swine flu cases, because of risks to laboratorians.
Actions for local health agencies
1. Distribute the guidance for health care providers by fax, email, etc immediately.
2. Utilize the swine influenza talking points (posted on the HAN) for public information and media inquiries.
3. Review the case investigation form and investigation protocol for cases of swine influenza in your county
(to be posted on the HAN later today).
4. Continue to monitor the IDPH website at www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/swine flu.asp and the HAN for
DAILY situation updates. Also frequently review materials on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
Information hotlines:
General public 800-447-1985
Health care providers 866-282-5815
UHL 319-335-4309
Suspect cases of swine influenza should be reported immediately to 800-362-2736, option 3.
Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 n 1-866-227-9878 ", : www.idph.state.ia.us
DEAF RELAY (Hearing or Speech Impaired) 711 or 1-800-735-2942