Following a report warning that swine flu could kill up to
90,000 Americans this year, the state’s public health director said
that as many as one in four Californians could be affected by the
virus this fall.
By Troy Anderson, McClatchy News Service
Following a report warning that swine flu could kill up to 90,000 Americans this year, the state’s public health director said that as many as one in four Californians could be affected by the virus this fall.
In an open letter to Californians, Dr. Mark Horton asked residents to prepare for a widespread outbreak. Information is available on a new toll-free hotline, 888-865-0564, or at www.cdph.ca.gov.
“While none of us can predict the course of the novel H1N1 influenza outbreak, it has the potential to sicken millions of people in our state in the months ahead; as many as 1 in 4 Californians may be affected,” Horton wrote. “All of us must prepare for the disruptions the novel H1N1 influenza virus may have on our daily lives. I ask for your support and assistance in educating Californians about the threat posed by H1N1 and the common sense steps we all should be taking to lessen its impact.”
Horton’s comments follow the release of a report by a presidential advisory group concluding the virus “poses a serious health threat” to the nation.
Although the severity of the current strain of the virus is similar to the regular flu, the World Health Organization raised the Pandemic Alert level from phase 5 to phase 6 earlier this summer, indicating that a global pandemic is under way. Since the first case was detected in California in April, the virus has resulted in 1,528 hospitalizations and 128 deaths. In Los Angeles County, 25 people have died this year and 157 others have been hospitalized.
Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the public health director for Los Angeles County, noted the presidential advisory group estimated the number of swine-flu-related deaths could range from 30,000 to 90,000 nationwide. In a normal year, about 36,000 people die from the flu.
“I do think we have to be prepared for more people getting it than in the average year,” Fielding said. “But exactly how many will get it – it’s impossible to predict. Part of it will be how quickly it spreads before the flu vaccine is available.”
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made recommendations on who should get vaccinated if the vaccine is initially available in extremely limited quantities. This includes those who are at higher risk of disease or complications, those who are likely to come into contact with the virus and those who could infect young infants.
When the vaccine is more widely available, the CDC recommended 159 million Americans be vaccinated, including pregnant women, people with children younger than six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, people ages 6 months to 24 years old and people ages 25 to 64 who are at higher risk because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
To avoid catching the virus, Horton said people should wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers at home, school and work. People who get the flu should stay home and not spread their illness in the workplace, school or community.
“All Californians must be partners in our effort to prepare for a widespread outbreak – parents must plan to care for their ill children at home and for potential school closures; health care providers must be prepared with necessary supplies and staffing plans; businesses must prepare for the possibility that large numbers of employees could be sick at the same time,” Horton said.
