CDC declares public emergency after latest confirmations of H1N1 virus
April 27, 2009
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been tracking cases of feverish respiratory illness caused by swine influenza (H1N1) viruses, and on Sunday evening declared a public health emergency with 20 confirmed cases in the United States. These cases are in California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and New York City.
Maryland has no confirmed or suspected novel influenza A (swine flu) cases reported at this writing.
The Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR) recommends taking these actions to stay healthy:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
To help prevent spreading germs, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Report any new respiratory illness consistent with influenza (fever, chills, cough, sore throat) if you have traveled to states bordering Mexico or have had contact with a known swine flu case.
The national situation is rapidly evolving, so please be alert to more updates and recommendations in the coming days.
Additional information and updates from national health and emergency agencies is being posted on the CEPAR Web page:
Additional resources include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
The New York Times article, U.S. Declares Public Health Emergency Over Swine Flu
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