update 9/29/2009
DISASTER ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE NOW
President Includes Fulton County in Federal Disaster Declaration

Fulton County Residents Eligible for Disaster Relief
On the evening of Friday, September 25, 2009, President Barack Obama added Fulton County to the Georgia counties included in the federal disaster declaration following flooding last week. This declaration makes Fulton County residents and business owners who have lost property or sustained damage due to flooding eligible for federal disaster assistance.

Fulton County residents and business owners can apply for Individual Assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.

Residents must apply in order to receive any assistance for which they are eligible. At the time of the call, residents should be prepared to provide a phone number, their Social Security number, their current mailing address, the address of the damaged property, a brief description of damages, and their insurance information (if they have it).

Homeowners should first contact their insurance providers. For questions about insurance, residents may contact the Georgia Insurance Commissioner's Consumer Affairs Division at 1-800-656-2298 or 404-656-2070 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.), or log onto www.gainsurance.org.

Government disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate for the entire loss. For residents and businesses with insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered by an insurance policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other forms of help may come in the form of loans.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Fulton County officials are also working with FEMA officials to establish a disaster recovery center to aid residents. For more information about Fulton County’s response, go to www.fultoncountyga.gov. 

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H1N1 Update
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.

There have been 51 confirmed cases in Georgia and no deaths, this and the information listed below is from the CDC and Georgia Division of Public Health websites: 

• More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with H1N1 flu 
• This number has been increasing over the past few weeks, 
• Many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread

WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.

It’s uncertain at this time how serious or severe this novel H1N1 pandemic will be in terms of how many people infected will develop serious complications or die from novel H1N1 infection.

Experience with this virus so far is limited and influenza is unpredictable.

However, because novel H1N1 is a new virus, many people may have little or no immunity against it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result.

In addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against novel H1N1 virus.

In the United States, most people who have become ill with the newly declared pandemic virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment; however, CDC anticipates that there will be:

• more cases 
• more hospitalizations 
• more deaths associated with this pandemic in the coming days and weeks 
• virus could cause significant illness with associated hospitalizations and deaths in the fall and winter during the U.S. influenza season

A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway

H1N1 EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC ALERT AND RESPONSE PHASES 1 - 6 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Phase1, no viruses circulating among animals have been reported to cause infections in humans.
Phase2, an animal influenza virus circulating among domesticated or wild animals is known to have caused infection in humans, and is therefore considered a potential pandemic threat.
Phase 3, an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people, but has not resulted in human-to-human transmission sufficient to sustain community-level outbreaks. Limited human-to-human transmission may occur under some circumstances,.
Phase 4, is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.
Phase 5, is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.
Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterized by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5. Designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way.

Reference: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/  

There is no vaccine available at this time, so it is important to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should attempt to stay at home and limit contact with others until they are symptom-free for 24hrs. If you are caring for a sick family member in your home, CDC has provided valuable information for home care and for protecting yourself and family members.

PREVENTION/ PRECAUTIONS: 

• 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. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. 
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. 
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. 
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. 
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and other essential supplies.

SWINE FLU PRECAUTIONS
CDC is investigating an ongoing outbreak of cases of H1N1 flu (swine flu) in the United States

As of April 29, 2009, WHO (World Health Organization) has reported cases in eight additional countries

This strain of influenza virus is unique because it is a combination of genes from swine, bird, and human influenza viruses

At this time there has been one death in the United States. However, CDC and state public and animal health authorities are still in the early stages of the investigations

Prevention
Basic, common sense, everyday actions should be used to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza

1. Wash hands carefully for twenty seconds
2. Wash and sanitize hands after each hand shake
3. Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing
4. Be aware that crowded, public places allow the spread of the flu
5. Do not place fingers in eyes, ears, nose or mouth
6. Clean computer key boards
7. Clean all items shared with others
8. If sick, stay home and limit contact with others

Symptoms:
Flu Like
Fever
Runny nose
Sore throat
Coughing
Difficulty Breathing
Chills
Nausea
Body aches
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headaches
Fatigue

INFECTIOUS PERIOD
Infectious from one day before to 7 days following illness onset
If ill longer than 7 days after illness onset contagious until symptoms have resolved

Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

Again, stay at home

See Physician

Should contact primary care provider and stay at home

This strain is currently treated as the common flu would be treated

When influenza A (H1N1) virus infection or exposure is suspected, CDC recommends zanamivir or a combination of oseltamivir and rimantadine are more appropriate options than oseltamivir alone, for treatment and/or prevention

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food

Workplace
Purchase masks for employees – hold until notified to distribute

Provide hand sanitizer (with alcohol) for employees.

Remind employees to practice good health habits at work and home – wash hands and cover mouths when coughing or sneezing.

Sanitize lunchroom tables and shared equipment (phones, computers, etc.) after every shift or use

Sanitize copiers and door handles

Sanitize emergency vehicles (door handle, steering wheel, gauges, etc.)