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Inside AF.mil - H1N1
Medical News Report: 10-20-09 on unique study opportunity
Reuters: Swine Flu @ USAFA
Center for Disease Control
Mayo Clinic Answers Questions about H1N!
Mayo Clinic: Definition of Swine Flu, symptons, treatment
Medical News Report: 10-20-09 on unique study opportunity
Reuters: Swine Flu @ USAFA
Center for Disease Control
Mayo Clinic Answers Questions about H1N!
Mayo Clinic: Definition of Swine Flu, symptons, treatment
From the September Edition of "Falcon Family News" 9/21/09
FLU VIRUS
The H1N1 virus struck USAFA fast and hard this summer during Basic Cadet Training (BCT). Within two weeks of arriving at USAFA, over 100 cadets were infected with the novel influenza virus. Personnel from both the 10th Medical Group and the Cadet Wing worked feverishly to make sure all sick cadets were evaluated and treated promptly and that a plan was put into place quickly to try to prevent what could have been a much larger outbreak on base. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the effort (including all the parents who were patient and understanding about the situation, even during the early stages), all of the cadets diagnosed with H1N1 thus far have recovered and we are no longer in an outbreak situation.
Like all other universities in the country, however, we are preparing for what is likely to be a severe flu season as both the typical seasonal flu and H1N1 are circulating through the population. We have a multi-pronged approach to preventing the spread of either influenza virus both among the cadets and the rest of the USAFA population. The first step is education. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends covering coughs and sneezes, frequent hand washing or use of a hand sanitizer, disposing of tissues in lines wastebaskets, and cleaning common use surfaces with a household disinfectant. Eating utensils should not be shared without thoroughly washing in a dishwasher or by hand with soap and water and linens such as sheets and towels should be washed using household laundry soap and drying on a hot setting. Hand sanitizers have been placed throughout the dorms and are readily available to all cadets. We have been providing education to the cadets on ways to prevent spread of the flu since the start of the outbreak.
The second approach is immunizing the cadets. The 2009 seasonal flu vaccine is starting to arrive at USAFA and soon all cadets will be immunized against the seasonal influenza virus. The Food and Drug Administration announced on 15 Sep that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. We do not yet know when these vaccines will be available at USAFA, but they will be administered shortly after they arrive. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations on who should receive certain immunizations. ACIP is currently recommending that the following groups get the H1N1 vaccine when available: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for those younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency services personnel, all people from 6 months to 24 years of age, and people aged from 24 to 64 with underlying medical conditions. Therefore, the cadets will likely be among the groups who get the H1N1 vaccine, but the amount of vaccine that will be available and the priorities for vaccine distribution have not yet been determined.
The final step is preventing the spread of the virus by those who are already infected. Cadets diagnosed with H1N1 receive education on how to prevent the spread of the virus to others and need to remain in their dorm rooms in “self-isolation” until they are seven days from onset of their symptoms and 24 hours symptom free. Meals are brought to the ill cadets and every attempt is made to provide them with homework and other training materials so they do not fall behind in their studies. They are also given precautions about what to do if they begin to feel worse. The CDC recommends they should seek immediate medical care in the event of difficulty breathing, chest pain, purple or blue discoloration of the lips, vomiting, seizures, confusion, dehydration and the inability to tolerate liquids resulting in dizziness or the absence of urination.
The 2009 flu season is upon us but we are prepared to take care of your sons and daughters and to provide them with the means to try to stay healthy in the upcoming months!
FLU VIRUS
The H1N1 virus struck USAFA fast and hard this summer during Basic Cadet Training (BCT). Within two weeks of arriving at USAFA, over 100 cadets were infected with the novel influenza virus. Personnel from both the 10th Medical Group and the Cadet Wing worked feverishly to make sure all sick cadets were evaluated and treated promptly and that a plan was put into place quickly to try to prevent what could have been a much larger outbreak on base. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the effort (including all the parents who were patient and understanding about the situation, even during the early stages), all of the cadets diagnosed with H1N1 thus far have recovered and we are no longer in an outbreak situation.
Like all other universities in the country, however, we are preparing for what is likely to be a severe flu season as both the typical seasonal flu and H1N1 are circulating through the population. We have a multi-pronged approach to preventing the spread of either influenza virus both among the cadets and the rest of the USAFA population. The first step is education. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends covering coughs and sneezes, frequent hand washing or use of a hand sanitizer, disposing of tissues in lines wastebaskets, and cleaning common use surfaces with a household disinfectant. Eating utensils should not be shared without thoroughly washing in a dishwasher or by hand with soap and water and linens such as sheets and towels should be washed using household laundry soap and drying on a hot setting. Hand sanitizers have been placed throughout the dorms and are readily available to all cadets. We have been providing education to the cadets on ways to prevent spread of the flu since the start of the outbreak.
The second approach is immunizing the cadets. The 2009 seasonal flu vaccine is starting to arrive at USAFA and soon all cadets will be immunized against the seasonal influenza virus. The Food and Drug Administration announced on 15 Sep that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. We do not yet know when these vaccines will be available at USAFA, but they will be administered shortly after they arrive. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations on who should receive certain immunizations. ACIP is currently recommending that the following groups get the H1N1 vaccine when available: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for those younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency services personnel, all people from 6 months to 24 years of age, and people aged from 24 to 64 with underlying medical conditions. Therefore, the cadets will likely be among the groups who get the H1N1 vaccine, but the amount of vaccine that will be available and the priorities for vaccine distribution have not yet been determined.
The final step is preventing the spread of the virus by those who are already infected. Cadets diagnosed with H1N1 receive education on how to prevent the spread of the virus to others and need to remain in their dorm rooms in “self-isolation” until they are seven days from onset of their symptoms and 24 hours symptom free. Meals are brought to the ill cadets and every attempt is made to provide them with homework and other training materials so they do not fall behind in their studies. They are also given precautions about what to do if they begin to feel worse. The CDC recommends they should seek immediate medical care in the event of difficulty breathing, chest pain, purple or blue discoloration of the lips, vomiting, seizures, confusion, dehydration and the inability to tolerate liquids resulting in dizziness or the absence of urination.
The 2009 flu season is upon us but we are prepared to take care of your sons and daughters and to provide them with the means to try to stay healthy in the upcoming months!
As of 9-18-09:
First the questions:
1) Will the cadets be given the option of receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine?
2) What is the USAFA policy on the regular flu vaccine?
Here is Barbara Gutierrez's answer from USAFA:
"Mary Eileen, yes, the cadets will be offered the H1N1 vaccine. We do not know yet when it will arrive and we do not know how much USAFA will receive so we don't know if it will be optional or mandatory. The regular flu shot(s) are mandatory each year.
Mary Eileen Indelicato, Amherst, NH
C4C Thomas Indelicato, CS-33
First the questions:
1) Will the cadets be given the option of receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine?
2) What is the USAFA policy on the regular flu vaccine?
Here is Barbara Gutierrez's answer from USAFA:
"Mary Eileen, yes, the cadets will be offered the H1N1 vaccine. We do not know yet when it will arrive and we do not know how much USAFA will receive so we don't know if it will be optional or mandatory. The regular flu shot(s) are mandatory each year.
Mary Eileen Indelicato, Amherst, NH
C4C Thomas Indelicato, CS-33
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:08:45 -0600
From: "Gutierrez, Barbara L Civ USAFA/CMA"
Subject: Flu virus dorm disinfection
Fyi:
The information available from the Centers for Disease Control, various medical web-sites and our Med Group shows the typical flu virus is only capable of living outside the body for a matter of hours (2-8 hours are the commonly cited figures). In short, simply airing out the rooms for a day should be sufficient. As an additional precaution, cleaning crews are spraying all fabrics (mattresses, carpets, drapes, chairs, etc.) with a commercial anti-viral solution. All solid surfaces are being cleaned with a mixture of bleach and water which is a standard medical disinfecting practice.
//SIGNED//
BARBARA GUTIERREZ
Parents' Liaison
U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
From: "Gutierrez, Barbara L Civ USAFA/CMA"
Subject: Flu virus dorm disinfection
Fyi:
The information available from the Centers for Disease Control, various medical web-sites and our Med Group shows the typical flu virus is only capable of living outside the body for a matter of hours (2-8 hours are the commonly cited figures). In short, simply airing out the rooms for a day should be sufficient. As an additional precaution, cleaning crews are spraying all fabrics (mattresses, carpets, drapes, chairs, etc.) with a commercial anti-viral solution. All solid surfaces are being cleaned with a mixture of bleach and water which is a standard medical disinfecting practice.
//SIGNED//
BARBARA GUTIERREZ
Parents' Liaison
U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:00:15 -0600
From: "Gutierrez, Barbara L Civ USAFA/CMA"
Subject: H1N1 precautions
>From our Director of Communication:
Dear Parents, Guardians and Family Members of Air Force Academy Cadets
As you know, we experienced an outbreak of H1N1 flu during basic training for the Class of 2013. Our medical staff and basic training staff took immediate action to isolate those basic cadets who became ill and bring them back into training as quickly as possible. We were able to minimize the spread of the H1N1 virus.
You may have read predictions that the H1N1 flu will take an upswing during the Fall. The cadet wing returns to the Academy on the 1st of August and classes begin on the 6th.
Our medical group has worked very closely with the Commandant of Cadets and his staff as well as the Prep School staff as we look toward the return of all of the cadets and the start of the academic year.
Our plan is to screen all of the incoming cadets and evaluate them on Saturday, 1 Aug, upon their return. We will transition away from a separate segregation area but instead implement "self-isolation" per the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for university settings.
Some basic information on H1N1:
. H1N1 spreads through coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus, and also by touching infected objects. Seek medical care if you have been exposed to someone with H1N1 and have symptoms.
. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Seek medical care if you experience any of these symptoms, even if you do not have a known exposure to someone with H1N1.
. Treatment for H1N1 flu is bed rest and segregation (self-isolation
in dorm room). Patients may be segregated for up to 7 days following illness onset and up to 24 hours from the time symptoms were last experienced. This is to reduce spread of the virus to those who are healthy.
I want to reassure you that we have the best interests of the cadet wing foremost as we begin a new year.
For more information on H1N1, please visit the Centers for Disease Control Website at: www.cdc.gov
Sincerely,
David K. Cannon
Director of Communication
United States Air Force Academy
//SIGNED//
BARBARA GUTIERREZ
Parents' Liaison
From: "Gutierrez, Barbara L Civ USAFA/CMA"
Subject: H1N1 precautions
>From our Director of Communication:
Dear Parents, Guardians and Family Members of Air Force Academy Cadets
As you know, we experienced an outbreak of H1N1 flu during basic training for the Class of 2013. Our medical staff and basic training staff took immediate action to isolate those basic cadets who became ill and bring them back into training as quickly as possible. We were able to minimize the spread of the H1N1 virus.
You may have read predictions that the H1N1 flu will take an upswing during the Fall. The cadet wing returns to the Academy on the 1st of August and classes begin on the 6th.
Our medical group has worked very closely with the Commandant of Cadets and his staff as well as the Prep School staff as we look toward the return of all of the cadets and the start of the academic year.
Our plan is to screen all of the incoming cadets and evaluate them on Saturday, 1 Aug, upon their return. We will transition away from a separate segregation area but instead implement "self-isolation" per the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for university settings.
Some basic information on H1N1:
. H1N1 spreads through coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus, and also by touching infected objects. Seek medical care if you have been exposed to someone with H1N1 and have symptoms.
. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Seek medical care if you experience any of these symptoms, even if you do not have a known exposure to someone with H1N1.
. Treatment for H1N1 flu is bed rest and segregation (self-isolation
in dorm room). Patients may be segregated for up to 7 days following illness onset and up to 24 hours from the time symptoms were last experienced. This is to reduce spread of the virus to those who are healthy.
I want to reassure you that we have the best interests of the cadet wing foremost as we begin a new year.
For more information on H1N1, please visit the Centers for Disease Control Website at: www.cdc.gov
Sincerely,
David K. Cannon
Director of Communication
United States Air Force Academy
//SIGNED//
BARBARA GUTIERREZ
Parents' Liaison