In April of 2009, an outbreak of a new strain of influenza known as the “H1N1 flu” was identified. Since then, a number of outbreaks of illness have been reported in the United States, including in Nevada, and around the world. In July, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its influenza pandemic alert level to Phase 6, an influenza pandemic.  The WHO’s pandemic declaration is based on the geographic spread of the virus, and not the severity of the illnesses it causes.

While it remains uncertain how severe the H1N1 virus outbreak will be, I have worked to ensure that we have the funding and planning necessary to ensure that we are prepared to minimize the impact the H1N1 flu or of any potential flu pandemic. The Senate recently approved legislation (P.L. 111-32) that was enacted in June that will provide $7.7 billion for preparation for and response to a global disease pandemic, including for the H1N1 flu. These funds will support activities such as supplementing antiviral stockpiles, vaccine development, purchase and administration as well as international efforts to stem the outbreak.  These funds are in addition to the over $6 billion for pandemic planning I have fought to secure since 2005 when the avian flu was spreading in several countries.  These funds have supported key pandemic planning activities including: global and domestic flu surveillance, the purchase of antivirals, investments in our domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, and funding for state and local health departments.   In addition, I encouraged then President Bush to release a pandemic plan and introduced comprehensive legislation, the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Act (S. 3312), to help America prepare for and protect against the threat of a flu pandemic.

For more detailed information or for the most current developments related to the H1NI Flu, I would encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://flu.gov. For Nevada specific information, please visit the Nevada State Health Division at http://health.nv.gov/

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Teach your child to take these actions too.
• Try to keep your child from having close contact (about 6 feet) with sick people, including anyone in the household who is sick.
• Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.

For Parents and Individuals:

• 5 Things Parents Need to Know About H1N1 Flu
• CDC Guidance for Parents of Patients/Patients with Asthma
• CDC Guidance for Patients and Caretakers
• CDC Guidance for Travel and Travel Industry - Airlines
• CDC Guidance for Travel and Travel Industry - Cruiseships

For Schools:

• Preparing for the Flu:  A Toolkit for Institutions of Higher Education
• Preparing for the Flu:  A Toolkit for K-12 Schools
• Preparing for the Flu:  A Toolkit for Child Care and Early Childhood Programs
• CDC Guidance for Schools
• CDC Guidance for Childcare Facilities
• CDC Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education

For Businesses:

• 5 Things Employers Need to Know About H1N1 Flu
• Preparing for the Flu:  A Toolkit for Businesses and Employers
• Preparing for the Flu:  A Toolkit for Small Businesses
• CDC Guidance for Business Employers and Workplaces

For more information, please visit Flu.gov.