August 2009

Pandemic Influenza Alert

Hung Cheung, MD, MPH, FACOEM                          

Sherry Sood, MD, MPH                                                          

Dr. Cheung/ OEM Advisor, LLC.

(888) 361-8882

panflu@drcheung-oemadvisor.com

We have received many calls over the last several weeks concerning the upcoming flu season and more specifically H1N1. There appears to be much confusion as well as concern about this issue. Our team has put together the attached H1N1 educational alert to help clarify the current understanding and why public health officials are concerned. Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or forward the attachment to those who may have questions about H1N1. We will monitor the situation and will have periodic updates for you. They will also be posted on our web site under the “In the News” tab.  We hope this helps as we strive to be your environmental, occupational and public health resource. 

The complication rate appears low, why all the uproar about swine flu or H1N1?

While the current strain appears to be less virulent, public health officials (PHO) are concerned about the likelihood of mutation of this virus. Twentieth century flu pandemics such as the flu of 1918, the Hong Kong flu and the Asian flu were all heralded by a much milder wave of illness in the spring. Furthermore, the H1N1 virus is new and therefore considered unstable in the scientific community when compared to the seasonal flu. It is thus more likely to mutate through exchange of genetic material with other unstable virus such as H5N1 virus (bird flu) which has a case fatality rate greater than 60%. For these reasons, there are growing concerns about the potential of H1N1 to undergo mutation and present with greater virulence in the fall. Recall SARS and the deaths it caused during its peak incidence. PHO’s are hoping to prevent that scenario from occurring or, if it should occur, from creating such devastation.

Many governmental organizations have web site informational updates on H1N1, including the local health department, the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO). You can also subscribe to e-mail alert provided by Dr. Cheung/ OEM Advisor, LLC, by sending an e-mail to panflu@drcheung-oemadvisor.com. Your name will automatically be added to the emailing updates on H1N1.

While we all hope that a deleterious mutation does not happen, it is wise to have a plan in place in case the virus turns aggressive and extreme public health measures become necessary.

Disclaimer: This message is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate to your individual situation. As the science and knowledge is rapidly evolving, you should monitor the various available resources noted above to keep you updated. Please contact your occupational medicine or public health professionals to assist with a customized plan for your workplace or your community.