WHAT IS THE CONCERN WITH THIS PANDEMIC?
With the Phase 6 pandemic alert level, the WHO is recognizing that H1N1 is not going away. Some areas already hit by H1N1 are seeing a resurgence of cases. Right now, H1N1 is listed as a moderate concern, meaning that most people who contract this illness will have mild symptoms and not need medicine. However, we are still regularly hearing about more deaths in the news.
Most people have not been previously exposed to H1N1 in order to build their natural immunity, so it is expected to spread more quickly. A vaccine is currently in production, with release scheduled sometime in October. However, the number of vaccines available and the fact that this will be a two-part vaccine, requiring one initial shot and a second to follow after three weeks, means that flu season will already be in motion before those who get the vaccine will have the full benefit of protection.
The WHO, CDC and U.S. Government agencies are cautioning against getting too complacent. Possible scenarios publicized by these groups indicate that 30% to 50% of the U.S. population could be affected with this second wave  and that while most cases will show moderate symptoms, up to 1.8 million hospital admissions are possible. The serious threat is that there could then be 30,000 to 90,000 deaths expected, with a majority of these cases occurring within the younger population. This compares to an average of 36,000 deaths from seasonal influenza in the past that are usually centered in the aging population.
HOW IS H1N1 SPREAD?
The H1N1 influenza is spread primarily from person-to-person contact. As one person coughs or sneezes, H1N1 is carried in the droplets of moisture that are spread into the air. It can be spread directly to a person or it can remain on hard surfaces, such as counter tops, desk tops and door knobs and be transferred when a person then touches that hard surface.
HOW CAN UNITED LABORATORIES HELP YOU PREPARE FOR H1N1?
With the evolving H1N1 pandemic and seasonal influenza, there are a few simple steps recommended for controlling the spread of illness.
1. Practice and Promote Good Personal Hygiene.
Having clean hands is a key factor in preventing the spread of illness. Regular hand washing and sanitizing is one of your best lines of defense. The CDC recommends regular washing with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds per wash to get the germs off. Between washings, use of an alcohol based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol recommended) is suggested for sanitizing the hands. When an alcohol based sanitizer is not available or not allowed in certain situations, then a non-alcohol hand sanitizer can be effective.
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In April 2009 the so-called Swine Flu, now classified as novel H1N1 Influenza A, first appeared in Mexico and soon spread to the United States and throughout the world.
A procedure should be put in place to disinfect all common areas where bacteria and germs can live and grow. Areas such as washrooms, locker rooms, class rooms, cafeterias, hallways, wrestling rooms and gyms should be scheduled for regular disinfection.
