The latest information on H1N1 from NC Public Health and the CDC.

As of 10-23-2009:

CDC updated its interim guidelines on H1N1 Infection Control Standards in Healthcare Settings.
NC Public Health released memo on 10-06-09. See downloadable files at right.

Other Information

• H1N1 is still, by far, the dominant strain of influenza in NC and US. Given this information, patients with Influenza-like Illness should be assumed to have pan-demic H1N1 infection.
• New provider guidance was released dated July 6th, 2009 “Pandemic H1N1 In-fluenza Virus Infection in North Carolina: Update for NC clinicians”. This update should replace the version released May 7, 2009. This update provides guid-ance to NC clinicians and information regarding flu surveillance.
• Noted in the guidance is that “decisions regarding treatment should be based on clinical and epidemiologic information, rather than on test results.”
• Local health department approval is still required for testing at the State Laboratory of Public Health, with the exception of specimens sent in from sentinel providers and specimens from patients hospitalized in the PHE network.
• North Carolina has added 16 sentinel sites giving us a total of 94 sites

Q&A

How long can an infected person spread H1N1 novel flu to others?
People with H1N1 influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious for at least 24 hours after fever is gone. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medication). Many people will continue shedding influenza virus 24 hours after their fever goes away, but at lower levels than during their fever. Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods.

Online Resources

The following resources are designed for providers and health professionals regarding Swine Flu. The links below have been made available the NC Office of Public Health

Flu Information from NC EPI

CDC H1N1 Guidance & Links

Clinicians' Information (5/7/09)
Speciman Collection Interim Guidance (4/27/09)
Antivirals Intermin Guidance - CDC (5/08/09)

Infection Control in Health Care Settings Interim Guidance (5/13/09)

In-Home Sick Care Interim Guidance (4/27/09)