Grant County Health District

Healthcare Alerts and Resources

2011-2012 Seasonal Influenza

September 2011 - Influenza is expected circulate this respiratory season, the intensity and timing of the influenza season can't be predicted. During the past several months, three influenza viruses have been circulating in the world: influenza A (2009 H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B.

Influenza Vaccination

Annual influenza vaccination is currently recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. It can take up to two weeks to develop a full immune response.

To develop adequate immune response, children 6 months through 8 years of age who did not receive at least 1 dose of the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine should receive 2 doses of the 2011-2012 influenza vaccine separated by at least 4 weeks.

CDC flow chart to determine if 1 or 2 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine are necessary: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/imzupdate/downloads/doses-algorithm.pdf.

CDC comprehensive information regarding influenza vaccination: www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination.

ACIP 2011 Influenza Vaccination Recommendations: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6033a3.htm?s_cid=mm6033a3_w.

Healthcare providers and hospitals should report the following to GCHD:

Report the following to GCHD by calling 509-766-7960 or the after-hours phone 509-762-1160:

• Within 3 days - Laboratory-confirmed influenza deaths in persons of all ages.
  Adult Death Reporting Form Pediatric Death Reporting Form
• Immediately - Suspected and laboratory-confirmed novel influenza viruses, such as avian influenza A (H5N1). (Please note, 2009 H1N1 virus is no longer a novel virus.)
• Immediately - Outbreaks of influenza-like illness or laboratory-confirmed influenza is an institutional setting. (e.g., long term care facilities)
• Immediately - Unexplained critical illness or death in persons < 50 years-old.
  

Resources

WA ST Department of Health - Influenza Surveillance and Reporting Guidelines
www.doh.wa.gov/notify/nc/influenza.htm

CDC - Comprehensive information regarding the prevention and control of influenza with vaccines www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination

CDC - Diagnostic testing, antiviral medication, and infection control
www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals

Flu Activity
Washington State: www.doh.wa.gov/ehsphl/epidemiology/cd/fluupdate.pdf

National: www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly

Tuberculosis

Selection and Monitoring of LTBI Treatment Candidates - CDC Guidance March 2010

Grant County Health District 2009 TB Policy

Bloodborne Pathogens

Healthcare professionals are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV from needle sticks and other sharp instruments contaminated with infected blood. Fore more information visit CDC's Protecting Healthcare Personnel's web page www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/worker.html.

Hepatitis

To contact or provide a report to the Grant County Health District in the event of a suspected public health event, such as:

• communicable disease outbreaks
• environmental health risks
• natural disasters
• other events that threaten the health of people

Call 509-754-6060 or 509-766-7960. After hours call 509-762-1160.
IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 9-1-1

Healthcare providers, labs, hospitals and veterinarians may report required notifiable conditions after hours by calling 509-398-2083. Visit Washington State Department of Health's notifiable conditions web page at www.doh.wa.gov/notify/forms/default.htm. For legal reporting requirements for reporting notifiable conditions visit www.doh.wa.gov/notify/other/legal.htm.

Animal Bites: To report an animal bite, fill out an Animal Bite Incident Report and fax immediately to 509-754-0941. For more information on rabies, visit Washington Department of Health at www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/factsheet/rabiesfct.htm.

HIV/AIDS

Referrals regarding HIV/AIDS infected or at risk information link.