Local Situation Update

There have been no new reported H1N1 related hospitalizations or deaths since November 17, 2009 in Mendocino County. While the county has not seen widespread severe H1N1 related illness, the State continues to report that H1N1 is widespread and there is concern that there may be a spike in illness during or after the holidays. Please practice hygiene measures that will prevent the spread of germs as your families and friends gather during the holiday season. [23-Dec]

H1N1 Vaccine

If You Want To Be Vaccinated

Per the recommendation of the Mendocino County Public Health Officer, all restrictions for H1N1 vaccination have been lifted. Community Health Services (CHS) has contacted local providers and notified them of the change. Based on the availability of vaccine a provider may have, they may still implement prioritization by vaccinating high risk patients first. The H1N1 vaccination clinics being scheduled in January by CHS will be open to everyone.

H1N1 Vaccine Recall

Community Health Services issued a press release on December 17th regarding the recall of certain lot numbers of H1N1 vaccine manufactured by one distributor. It was not a safety recall. Community Health Services was not shipped any of the recalled vaccine. Please read the press release for more information. You may also visit the CDC website page: H1N1 Vaccine Recall Questions and Answers.

Severe 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Pregnant and Postpartum Women in California

On December 23, 2009, the New England Journal of Medicine released the above article regarding the increased risk of severe illness in pregnant and postpartum women due to the 2009 H1N1. Click here to view the article. Please visit the Resources for Pregnant Women page of the CDC website  for more information about H1N1 and pregnant and postpartum women.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I think I have H1N1 influenza ?

If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough and/or sore throat:

• Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible.
• Rest and take plenty of fluids.
• Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing and dispose of the used tissues properly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Inform family and friends about your illness and seek help for household chores that require contact with other people such as shopping.
• You may return to work or school after you have been fever free for 24 hours.

If your symptoms persist for more than seven days or get worse:

• Contact your doctor or health care provider before traveling to see them and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have H1N1 influenza (for example, if you have recently traveled to a country where there is a H1N1 influenza outbreak in humans). Follow the advice given to you for care.
• If it is not possible to contact your health care provider in advance, communicate your suspicion of having H1N1 influenza immediately upon arrival at the health care facility.
• Take care to cover your nose and mouth during travel.

Should I be tested for H1N1 Influenza?

Only hospitalized patients and fatalities are currently tested for the H1N1 influenza virus. If you believe you have the H1N1 novel virus, refer to question 1 above. Many people have had the H1N1 virus and recovered without any medical attention after exhibiting mild to moderate symptoms. Because influenza-like illness is so common, testing all potential cases for H1N1 is not possible.

Are antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, needed for recovering from influenza H1N1?

Most people in the United States are recovering from influenzas without the use of antivirals.

How can I protect myself from getting H1N1 influenza from infected people?

In the past, human infection with H1N1 influenza was generally mild but is known to have caused severe illness such as pneumonia. For the current outbreaks in the United States and Mexico however, the clinical pictures have been different.

To protect yourself, practice general preventive measures for influenza:

• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly.
• Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

If there is an ill person at home:

• Try to provide the ill person a separate section in the house. If this is not possible, keep the patient at least 1 meter in distance from others.
• Cover mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Masks can be bought commercially or made using the readily available materials as long as they are disposed of or cleaned properly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.
• Try to improve the air flow in the area where the ill person stays. Use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes.
• Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents.

Hot Lines

• County Hot Line: 472-2300
• California H1N1 Hot Line / Linea de información: (888) 865-0564*

Facts and Information

• H1N1 Vaccine Distribution Q&A
  
• H1N1 Influenza and You / La influenza H1N1 y Usted
• Key Facts About H1N1 Influenza / Datos fundamentales sobre la Influenza H1N1
• Fact and Information for the Public / Influenza H1N1 (Gripe Porcina) Datos e Información
  

Media / Press Releases

We make every effort to post H1N1 related press releases, below.  Please visit the Press Release page for ALL press releases, including H1N1.

Guidance documents

• Employers
• Schools
• Laboratories
• Public
  
• Mask and Respirator Guidance / Recomendaciones para uso de respiradores y mascarillas
• Travelers
  

Websites

• CDPH: California / Departamento de Salud de California
  
• CDC: United States / Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades
• WHO: Global / Organización Mundial de la Salud

*available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m / *disponible de lunes a viernes, de 7 a.m. a 6 p.m., y los fines de semana de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m.

For Providers and Health Care Professionals

• CDPH Information for Health Professionals
  
• Clinician Guidance for Patients and specific audiences
• Screening and Specimen Collection
  
• Treatment Guidance
• Infection Control
• Vaccine
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Emergency Personnel Guidance
• Additional Information
  

Disaster Health Care Volunteers

Mendocino County is asking that all Health Care Professionals sign up as a "Disaster Health Care Volunteer" also known as "DHV". This is a single source system, operated by local, regional, state, public health, mental health and other emergency and disaster organizations. Completing the DHV registration process will allow health care professionals and others to be utilized fully in the event of an emergency or disaster.

• DHV volunteers are pre-registered and pre-credentialed.
• Registration in the DHV system does not obligate response.
• Volunteers are not obligated to respond outside of their local area.
• Volunteers may not self deploy.
• Information about volunteers is secure & confidential.
• The DHV database is intended to be used during declared disasters and emergencies.

This Database verifies your credentials, so please have available licenses, certifications, competencies, vaccination records, contact and personal information you may need to reference.

healthcarevolunteers.ca.gov

— Free software is required to read PDFs.