H1N1 SUFFOLK COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES H1N1 INFLUENZA A UPDATES (FORMERLY KNOWN AS SWINE FLU) A 24 hour-a-day call center has been established by New York State Department of Health to answer questions concerning seasonal and H1N1 influenza and vaccination requirements. Callers are directed to press #1 if they are from the general public and have questions related to H1N1, or press #2 if they are a health care provider and have questions related to seasonal influenza and H1N1 vaccination requirements. The toll-free number for the New York State Hotline is 1-800-808-1987. Public Health Emergency Preparedness Plan for Fall, 2009 Novel H1N1 Influenza A-2009 For School Districts H1N1 Influenza A:Preparing Suffolk County’s Schools and School Districts .PPT For Health Care Providers Physicians are urged to pre-register with New York State Department of Health for the adult and pediatric novel Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. The vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October 2009. Health care providers interested in receiving vaccine must pre-register at https://hcsteamwork1.health.state.ny.us/pub/top.html. For Residents The Suffolk County Department of Health Services requests that residents follow these sanitary measures in order to minimize the spread of both the novel H1N1 Influenza A virus and seasonal Influenza: wash your hands with soap and water often, cough and sneeze into your sleeve or with a tissue that you then dispose of, and If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. Stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel and not going to work or school for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed. Be aware that if flu becomes widespread, less testing will be needed, so your health care provider may decide not to test for the flu virus. Antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill with influenza. These are prescription medicines and must be prescribed by a health care professional. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms (fever and cough), you should seek medical attention immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects to have a vaccine ready for dispensing by October. The following high-risk groups should get the vaccine, ideally from their own health care provider: Pregnant women Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel All people from 6 months through 24 years of age Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. As the vaccine is made more widely available, it will be dispensed to a wider population. For more information, call the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Division of Public Health Influenza Hotline, 631-787-2200 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for all general questions concerning Influenza or for questions about the Suffolk County’s immunization clinics. For further information, please call 1-800-808-1987 or visit the Centers for Disease Control's website. Additional Resources CDC New York State Department of Health National Resource Center for Culturally Diverse Communities