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Emergency Management 2009 H1N1 Flu 
Human cases of 2009 H1N1 flu (swine flu) have been identified in several states and in other countries. It is important to recognize the ongoing nature of this event and the fact that public health guidance may change as this event transpires and more becomes known about this new virus. Public health officials advise that good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. When H1N1 virus is confirmed in a community, persons who develop influenza-like-illness (fever with either cough or sore throat) should be strongly encouraged to self-isolate in their home for 7 days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer. Persons who experience influenza-like illness and wish to seek medical care should contact their health care providers to report illness (by telephone or other remote means) before seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Persons who have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or are believed to be severely ill should seek immediate medical attention. The best source of guidance for Interior employees and their familites can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ President Obama Highlights Flu Response in Address to the Nation " It is my greatest hope and prayer that all of these precautions
and preparations prove unnecessary. But because we have it within our
power to limit the potential damage of this virus, we have a solemn and
urgent responsibility to take the necessary steps. I would sooner take
action now than hesitate and face graver consequences later." more Travel Warning to Avoid Non-Essential Travel to Mexico The Office of International Affairs advises DOI official travelers should adhere to a CDC recommendation to avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico. Additional information regarding travel to Mexico is available at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx/ Bureau of Indian Education Schools  The Bureau of Indian Education operates 184 schools in 23 states. The Bureau of Indian Education's number one priority continues to be safe and secure schools for the students we serve. See Bureau of Indian Education Memorandum. Additional information on H1N1 response can be found at the BIE website. The Centers for Disease Control provide the following guidance for schools, colleges, and universities:
Information Technology Guidance Related to 2009 H1N1 Flu
Guidance for Bureau and Office Emergency Planners While specific public health guidance for the 2009 H1N1 Flu should be obtained from the CDC website, the DOI Pandemic Influenza Plan, issued November 2007, serves as the baseline document for bureau and office emergency planning. The Office of Emergency Management is providing guidance letters to assist bureaus and offices in initiating preparedness and response actions during the 2009 H1N1 flu situation. Guidance for Emergency Medical Services Personnel Guidance for Emergency Medical Services personnel for response to cases with confirmed or suspected H1N1 infection can be found in the Centers of Disease Control publication " Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for Management of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Infection." The National Park Service, which manages an extensive Emergency Medical Services program throughout the national park system, provides the following information which may be useful to other DOI emergency medical service providers:
Information from OPM for Employees and Their Families
Information for Human Resource Offices and Managers
Respirators, Masks, and other Occupational Health Issues The Centers for Disease Control provides "Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where H1N1 Influenza Virus Has Been Detected". OSHA provides proposed guidance which reflects the current thinking on the stockpiling in the document "Proposed Guidance on Workplace Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks for Pandemic Influenza" In the workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
requires employers to ensure that equipment is used safetly and effectively.
The DOI Office of Occuational Health and Safety provides a Respiratory Protection Program Primer NPS Response to the H1N1 Situation  The National Park Service's Emergency Services Branch and Office of Public Health provide information on NPS response to the H1N1 situation on the NPS Public Health Service webpage.
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