Oregon Swine Flu Media Briefing

Oregon Swine Flu Media Briefing
from Public Health Officials

Public Health officials from the state of Oregon, Portland metropolitan area and Southwest Washington held a news briefing yesterday, Sunday April 26, at the Portland State Office Building at 800 Northeast Oregon Street first floor conference room. Media and the public were invited and also could join via teleconference at 2:00 p.m. pacific, Sunday April 26, 2009 to discuss the latest information on the swine flu outbreak, local readiness to respond should the situation elevate and what people can do to keep themselves and others safe.

From: [Name redacted]
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 2:59 PM
To: DL:PHO-House Supervisors; [Names redacted]

Cc: [Names redacted]

Subject: FW: TODAY at 2:00 p.m.: Swine Flu Media Briefing from Public Health Officials [id: 205838]
Importance: High

I attended this teleconference regarding the swine flu and the takeaway points are as follows:

• No reported cases of it in Oregon or Washington
• No ban on travel to or from Mexico at this point
• Do not know if swine flu in the US (20 confirmed cases as of today)  are related to the Mexico strain http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
• Strain in Mexico is causing more severe illness/deaths–we don’t know all the factors associated with the strain
• Concern is that if swine flu does become more prevalent, it could evolve into a “new strain” resulting in a more serious outbreak/pandemic
• Antivirals and masks from National Stockpile are on the way to Oregon–will not be distributed unless there is a need
• Both Oregon and Washington feel well prepared to respond to such an emergency and are monitoring closely/surveillance with HealthCare providers that they normally work with during regular flu symptoms (no increase in respiratory illnesses have been reported as of yet)
• Continue to practice respiratory etiquette/hygiene in EDs, Urgent Care, etc…

Same common sense approach should be taken to prevent spread of any flu

MASK YOUR PATIENTS

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue (or sleeve) when you cough or sneeze. Toss tissue in waste receptacle immediately after use.
• Avoid covering nose/mouth with hand when coughing/sneezing since hand hygiene may not be readily available
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (especially after you cough or sneeze). Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.