Swine Influenza Outbreak Update

Swine Influenza - USA
On April 26, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency in the United States. This declaration permits additional preparedness activities to commence, including the release of 25% of the Strategic National Stockpile (50 million treatment courses) of anti-virals. Affected areas will receive the anti-virals initially and then other states, as required.
As of 7:00 p.m. EDT Sunday, April 26, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 40 human cases of Swine Influenza A H1N1: seven in California, two in Texas, 28 in New York, two in Kansas, and one in Ohio. All cases have displayed relatively mild symptoms, and no deaths have been reported. The virus appears to be treatable with antiviral drugs. CDC has issued a Traveler's Health Alert Notice, stressing the need to be aware of the illness, take precautions against making contact with ill individuals, avoiding others if you feel ill, and seeking medical attention if neccessary. - see http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu. No additional limitations have been imposed on travel between the U.S. and Mexico borders. CDC is monitoring epidemiological patterns of transmission and working with the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and State health officials in investigating the outbreak. (HHS SOC April 26, DHS Leadership Brief April 26)

Swine Influenza - International
Mexico:
Mexico's Health Minister reports 1,400 with influenza-like illnesses, and up to 86 fatalities.
Seven new cases of Swine Influenza H1N1 have been confirmed (six in Mexico City, one in Veracruz), totaling 30 confirmed cases. The Government of Mexico is continuing steps to limit the spread of the illness, including closing schools, museums, libraries and state-run theatres, and cancelling public events in Mexico City. The United States Embassy in Mexico suspended all visa and non-emergency American citizen services from April 27 - 30, 2009.

Canada:
CDC reports 26 cases of influenza-like illnesses, all in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Chief of Public Health Officer has confirmed six of the 26 cases are Swine Flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO has identified unconfirmed influenza-like-illnesses in New Zealand (25); Columbia (5); the United Kingdom (2); and Israel (1). The Director-General of WHO has determined the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern. The Director-General is recommending that all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia. (WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, April 25, 2009; DHS Leadership Brief April 26, 6:00 p.m. EDT)

FEMA Response to Swine Influenza Outbreak
FEMA is coordinating with affected Regions, States, HHS/CDC and Federal and State partners to determine potential requirements. FEMA is conducting, planning, and preparing for possible activations of the NRCC as needed. FEMA Region II RRCC has transitioned to a "heightened Watch Status" and continues to monitor confirmed influenza cases in New York. FEMA Regions V, VI, and IX remain at Watch/Steady State status and continue to monitor confirmed / suspected cases with their State EOCs. FEMA will conduct a VTC with Regional Administrators to prepare for possible future actions in response to the swine influenza outbreak.