Swine Flu

Updated May 11, 2009

NBAA members planning international travel can ensure that they have the latest information about swine influenza A (H1N1) virus by checking the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, which has announcements, considerations for travel to affected areas and a toll-free phone number for questions. Last week, the CDC reported an outbreak of influenza-like illness in Mexico, and several cases of swine influenza have now been reported in other countries as well as in California, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kansas. Although government officials yesterday declared a public health emergency in conjunction with the disease, no deaths have been reported in the U.S., and the CDC has not recommended that people avoid travel at this time. The CDC’s information is intended to help those traveling to affected areas reduce infection risk and stay healthy.

About Swine Flu

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count is provided at www.cdc.gov

An investigation and response effort surrounding the outbreak of swine flu is ongoing.

CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support.

CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s response to this emerging health threat and yesterday the Secretary of the Department Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, declared a public health emergency in the United States. This will allow funds to be released to support the public health response. CDC’s goals during this public health emergency are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to assist health care providers, public health officials and the public in addressing the challenges posed by this newly identified influenza virus. To this end, CDC has issued a number of interim guidance documents in the past 24 hours. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak. Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

Travelers Guidance

• (4/30/09) Travel Warning: H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and Severe Cases of Respiratory Illness in Mexico: Avoid Nonessential Travel to Mexico http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx
• CDC Travelers Health Alert: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/
• (Updated 5/8/09) U.S. Department of State Travel Alert for Mexico: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html
• Travel Questions: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/faq/travel/index.html
• Travelers Health: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx

Prevention Guidance

It is prudent for businesses to act in the absence of sufficient data to protect their employees and take advantage of a narrow window of opportunity for intervention. Persons with febrile respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections (including influenza and other respiratory illnesses) to others in their communities. In addition, frequent hand washing can lessen the spread of respiratory illness. As public health officials in the United States learn more about this virus, updated guidance will be issued to the public in conjunction with our state, local, tribal and territorial partners.

• Identify your city, county or state public health department’s website for the most accurate information on what is taking place in your local area. These sites contain information on the current conditions in your area, what services are available as well as what services may be curtailed or suspended for the duration of an outbreak of influenza.
• Identify your Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) and employee readiness to successfully navigate a difficult period. Consulting a website like www.ready.gov on how employees should have enough food, water, medications, and other necessities to weather any breakdown in the supply chain that could prevent employees from reporting to their place of employment.
• Identify policies and procedures to protect and sustain workers
  • Emphasize worker and workplace disease control and protection
  • Encourage employees to take actions to stay healthy. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Promote often hand washing with soap and water. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth
  • If an employee is sick, CDC recommends that the individual stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
• Identify and assess all essential services, functions, and processes necessary to keep systems running
• Identify the types and numbers of workers critical to sustain essential functions
  • Define roles and responsibilities of employees, labor organizations, staff, supervisors, managers, and staff medical personnel
  • Assess impacts from short-term and extended absences by essential workers
  • Access, practice, and test remote connectivity and accessibility options for workers to ensure services remain operational
• Review all equipment critical to support each essential function
  • Review primary and supporting components of critical equipment to identify potential critical system failures and possible cascading consequences
• Prepare to sustain essential equipment, materials, and supplies for a nationwide wave lasting up to 12 weeks
  • Assess implications if your essential equipment fails early on during the influenza outbreak
• Determine the most effective ways to ensure adequate supply of essential materials
  • Identify physical or safety limitations in stocking sufficient critical supplies locally
  • Assess recurring and preventative maintenance requirements
• Identify Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements that may affect business operations
  • Consider how each action relates to those emergency response actions in existing business contingency and emergency response plans
• Identify effects from mitigation strategies; take actions to reduce negative impacts
  • Discuss strategies’ potential impacts with workers, as well as your strategies management will take to communicate with employees, before, during, and after an outbreak
  • Discuss the potential impacts of these strategies with workers, their families, and with customers, supporting businesses and other stakeholders
  • Collaborate with public/private partners such as state and local health authorities and first responders who support and rely on you

Federal Interagency Updates

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• (5/7/09) Remarks by Secretary Napolitano at Wednesday’s Media Briefing on the H1N1 Flu Outbreak http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1241646562350.shtm
• (5/5/09) Remarks by Secretary Napolitano at Today’s Media Briefing on the H1N1 Flu Outbreak http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1241615110532.shtm
• (5/4/09) Remarks by Secretary Napolitano Media Briefing on the H1N1 Flu Outbreak http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1241530553980.shtm
• (5/1/09) Remarks by Secretary Napolitano and Education Secretary Arne Duncan at the 5/1 Media Briefing on the H1N1 Flu Outbreak
  • http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1241217550973.shtm
  • Video available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/programs/swine-flu.shtm
• (4/30/09) Remarks by Secretary Napolitano at 4/30 Media Briefing on the H1N1 Flu Outbreak http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1241140344050.shtm
• (4/30/09) DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Dr. Rich Besser from the Center for Disease Control hosted a webcast answering the American people’s questions on the H1N1 flu: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/webcast.htm
• (4/29/09) Testimony of Secretary Janet Napolitano before Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, ” H1N1 Virus”: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/testimony/testimony_1241017177339.shtm
• (4/28/09) Remarks by Secretary Napolitano at the Media Briefing on the H1N1 Flu Outbreak http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1240965057737.shtm
• (4/29/09) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Monitors H1N1 Flu Outbreak; All Ports Operating Routinely http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/alerts/flu/
• DHS H1NI Update: http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/programs/swine-flu.shtm
• (4/27/09) Press briefing on Swine Influenza with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and White House: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1240773850207.shtm
• DHS Pandemic Influenza Guide for Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (PDF, 2.2MB)

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

• Main CDC Swine Flu Page: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
• (5/9/09) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Telebriefing on Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090509.htm
• (5/8/09) H1N1 Flu and You updated with CDC recommendation on “Swine Flu Parties” http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
• (5/8/09) H1N1 Flu Resources for Businesses and Employers http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/
• (5/7/09) Transcript of 5/7 CDC Briefing on Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090507.htm
• (5/6/09) Interim Guidance on Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Their Close Contacts http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm
• (5/6/09) What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm
• (5/6/09) CDC Briefing on Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090506.htm
• (5/5/09) Flyer for Print – Clean Hands Save Lives: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pdf/handwashing.pdf” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pdf/handwashing.pdf”>http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pdf/handwashing.pdf);”.pdf
• (5/5/09) What Adults with HIV Infection Should Know About the Novel H1N1 Flu (formerly called swine flu) http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/hiv_flu.htm
• (5/5/09) CDC Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090505.htm
• (5/4/09) Transcript of CDC Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090504.htm
• (5/4/09) CDC Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/a090504.htm
• (5/4/09) FDA and CDC Information on Potential “Spot Shortages” of Supplies for Treating and Preventing Novel Influenza A (H1N1) http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1flu/shortages.html
• (Updated 5/3/09) Swine Flu And You http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm
• (Update 5/2/09) H1N1 Flu: Interim Guidance for People With Heart Disease, Stroke, or Cardiovascular Disease http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/heart.htm
• (Updated 5/2/09) What to Do If You Get Flu-like Symptoms http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm
• (5/3/09) What Pregnant Women Should Know About H1N1 (formerly called swine flu) Virus http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm
• (5/1/09) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090501.htm
• (5/1/09) Pregnant Women and Swine Influenza Considerations for Clinicians http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm
• (4/30/09) CDC Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of Swine Influenza
  • Transcript available at: http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090430.htm
  • Audio recording available at: http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/mp3/SwineFlu4-30-09.mp3
• (4/30/09) Travelers Health: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx
• (4/27/09) Interim Guidance for Airlines Regarding Flight Crews Arriving from Domestic and International Areas Affected by Swine Influenza http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance/air-crew-dom-intl.htm
• (4/27/09) CDC Press Briefing: http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090427.htm
• (4/27/09) CDC activates Emergency Operations Center: http://www.cdc.gov/news/2009/04/swine_flu/
• Key Facts on Swine Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
• (Updated 4/29) Antiviral Drugs and Swine Influenza Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/antiviral_swine.htm
• CDC Caretaking Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance/
• (4/26) Travelers Health: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluTravel.aspx
• Information for Airline Passengers Exposed to Swine Flu: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluPassengers.aspx
• Good Health Habits Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm
• Swine Flu and You: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: PandemicFlu.gov

• (4/26/09) HHS Declares Public Health Emergency for Swine Flu http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090426a.html
• Control of Pandemic Flu Virus on Environmental Surfaces in Homes and Public Places: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/panfacts.html
• Workplace Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/faq/workplace_questions/
• Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/index.html
• Critical Infrastructure Guide: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/cikrpandemicinfluenzaguide.pdf” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/cikrpandemicinfluenzaguide.pdf”>http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/cikrpandemicinfluenzaguide.pdf);”.pdf
• Travel Industry Pandemic Flu Checklist: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/travelchecklist.html
• Health and Safety Information: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/health/index.html
• Frequently Asked Questions on H1N1 Flu Outbreak: http://pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/
• Guidance for individuals and families preparing for pandemic: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/index.html.
• Planning information for community organizations: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/community/index.html

World Health Organization

• (5/11/09) World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza A(H1N1) – update 25 http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_11/en/index.html
• (5/8/09) World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza A(H1N1) – update 22 http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_08a/en/index.html
• (5/6/09) WHO Updates International H1N1 Situation Including Global Number of Laboratory Confirmed Cases http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_06d/en/index.html
• (5/6/09) World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza A(H1N1) – update 17 http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_06/en/index.html
• (5/5/09) World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza A (H1N1) – update 16 http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_05a/en/index.html
• (5/3/09) World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza A (H1N1) – update 12 http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_03a/en/index.html
• (5/1/09) World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza A(H1N1) – update 7 http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_01/en/index.html
• International Information: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
• (4/29/09) World Health Organization raises alert from phase 4 to phase 5
  • Announcement Transcript: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_20090429/en/index.html
  • Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. For more information click: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html

U.S. Department of State

• (5/08) Updated Department of State Travel Alert for Mexico http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration

• (4/29/09) Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 09009 Swine Flu Information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF, 37 KB)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

• (5/8/09) The FDA and Personal Protection Equipment for the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1Flu/ppe_faq.html
• (5/7/09) Letter to Health Care Professionals http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1flu/healthprofessional.html
• (5/7/09) Q&A on the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus and the Food Industry http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1Flu/faq_foodindustry.html
• (5/7/09) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Principal Deputy Commissioner and Acting Commissioner Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D., testifies before the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies http://www.fda.gov/ola/2009/flu050709.html
• (5/6/09) FDA Approves New Influenza Vaccine Production Facility http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02008.html
• (5/5/09) 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus and Food http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1Flu/faq_food.html
• (5/4/09) FDA and CDC Information on Potential “Spot Shortages” of Supplies for Treating and Preventing Novel Influenza A (H1N1) http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1flu/shortages.html
• (5/1/09) FDA, FTC Warn Public of Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02007.html
• 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1Flu/
• (4/27/09) FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02002.html

U.S. Department of Agriculture

• (5/7/09) USDA Secretary Vilsack Testifies regarding 2009-H1N1 Influenza before the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/05/0156.xml
• (5/6/09) Statement by Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food Alberto Cardenas: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/05/0154.xml
• (5/5/09) Frequently Asked Questions about H1N1: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0131.xml
• (5/2/09) Statement from Secretary Vilsack on Canada’s Detection of H1N1 in Alberta: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/05/0142.xml
• (4/28/09) Updated Statement by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Regarding USDA Efforts Regarding H1N1 Flu Outbreak http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0137.xml
• (4/27/09) Update By Secretary Of Agriculture Vilsack Regarding USDA Outreach Efforts Regarding Swine Influenza A (H1N1) http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0132.xml
• Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0131.xml

Office of Personal and Management

• Director Barry’s Memo – Flexibilities for Agencies: http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=2227
• Pandemic Influenza Information: http://www.opm.gov/pandemic/index.asp
• Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, Advice to Federal Employees and Agencies on Preventing the Spread of the Current Flu and Maintaining Readiness to Use HR Flexibilities if Necessary http://www.opm.gov/

U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Safety and Health Administration

• Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers: www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdf” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdf”>www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdf);”.pdf
• Proposed Guidance on Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks in Occupational Settings: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/stockpiling-facemasks-respirators.html

International Civil Aviation Organization

• (5/1/09) ICAO Electronic Bulletin 2009/12 No Rational for Travel Restrictions (PDF, 53 KB)
• (4/29/09) Swine Influenza Update (PDF, 61KB)

For More Information

For additional information, contact:

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Private Sector Office
  private.sector@dhs.gov
  (202) 282-8484
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Affairs
  Healthaffairs@dhs.gov
  (202) 254-2249