WI – Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports H1N1 influenza activity is widespread in 43 states and has decreased slightly. Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness declined from last week, but are still higher than expected for this time of year. Flu-related hospitalizations and deaths have declined slightly, but are still very high nationwide compared to what is expected for this time of year.

In Wisconsin, activity peaked in late October, but is still widespread with all 72 counties reporting confirmed H1N1 cases. H1N1 activity is expected to continue throughout the season and it is anticipated that another wave of H1N1 cases could occur. There is no indication the H1N1 virus has changed or is more severe than in the spring.Seasonal influenza cases are expected to occur later in the season, perhaps in December or January.

On November 23rd, DHS issued guidance which recommended providers expand the vaccine target group to include healthy school age children and young adults. With that expansion, Wisconsin’s public and private health care providers have the flexibility of vaccinating individuals within the CDC’s original target group. It is anticipated that public health departments may begin more school-based clinics now that the group has been expanded to include healthy school age children.

DHS continues to monitor the vaccine supply and will continue to expand the vaccine groups as quickly as possible.

The CDC continues to stress there will be adequate supplies of H1N1 vaccine available for everyone who wants it. People are encouraged to follow good hygiene precautions such as hand washing, covering their cough/sneeze with their sleeve or a tissue, and staying home when ill. Call your health care provider first to determine if you should be seen by your local physician or if you should go to the ER/urgent care for treatment.

H1N1 Surveillance
In Wisconsin, activity peaked in late October, but is still widespread with all 72 counties reporting confirmed H1N1 cases. H1N1 activity is expected to continue throughout the season and it is anticipated that another wave of H1N1 cases could occur. There is no indication the H1N1 virus has changed or is more severe than in the spring. Seasonal influenza cases are expected to occur later in the season, perhaps in December or January.

Since September 1, 2009, there have been 667 hospitalizations due to H1N1 virus infection in Wisconsin. Since the last situation report on November 18th, there have been three additional confirmed H1N1-related deaths reported in Dane, Menominee, Outagamie, and Washington counties. This brings the H1N1-related death total to 35 statewide since the spring.

H1N1 Vaccine Update
Wisconsin’s vaccine allocations during the past few weeks continue to be close to CDC projections. At this time, Wisconsin has been allocated 1,129,500 doses, and the CDC indicates more than 938,000 of those have been shipped to providers. There is a lag time between the state receiving its H1N1 vaccine allocation and the shipment of doses to providers.

On November 23rd, DHS issued guidance recommending providers expand the vaccine target group to include healthy school age children and young adults, based upon the H1N1 vaccine supply and feedback from providers. With that expansion, Wisconsin’s public and private health care providers have the flexibility of vaccinating

individuals within the CDC’s original target groups. This includes:

- Pregnant women

- Persons who live with or provide care for infants age 6 months or younger (examples: parents, siblings, daycare providers)

- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

-  All people from 6 months through 24 years of age

-  Persons 25-64 years of age with conditions associated with higher risk of complications from influenza

DHS continues to monitor the vaccine supply and will continue to expand the vaccine groups as quickly as possible. The CDC continues to stress there will be adequate supplies of H1N1 vaccine available for everyone who wants it. Community vaccination clinics will resume as H1N1 vaccine becomes more readily available. People may call 2-1-1 to find an H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccine clinic nearest them. A “clinic finder” is also available online at http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov or www.wisconsinfluclinic.info.

Partner Items
Health care providers and other organizations across Wisconsin are calling 2-1-1 and providing detailed information on the type of flu shot that is available (seasonal or H1N1), date, time and locations of vaccination clinics on the flu clinic finder available online at http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov or www.wisconsinfluclinic.info.

School Closures
The CDC and DHS continue to stress that a school closure should be used as a last resort due to disruption of learning and the social impact. School closure information is listed on the DPI website at http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/pandemicflu.html or can be found in the Media Room at http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov/.

Parents are reminded that keeping sick children home from school until 24 hours after they are free of fever (100°F [37.8°C] or greater) without the aid of medication is the safest way to prevent the spread of any illness. DHS is also encouraging parents to have a predesignated plan for caring for a sick child at home for the duration of a school exclusion period. Wisconsin businesses are also encouraged to adopt similar plans with their employees.

Posted @ 10:20 p.m.