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Emergency Management 2009 H1N1 Flu 
UPDATED!
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus that was first detected in April 2009. The virus has sparked a growing and expanding outbreak of illness throughout the United States and worldwide. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world. Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment. The H1N1 Flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal flu viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus. Therefore, public health officials encourage good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands to help stop the spread of germs and prevent the flu. Because of the ongoing nature of this event, and the evolving knowledge about the H1N1 Flu, public health guidance is continually updated as this pandemic progresses. The best source of information and guidance on the H1N1 Flu, and the best way to keep up-to-date on current guidance, can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) H1N1 Flu website and the U.S. Government’s Flu website. 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 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. Information for Employees and Their Families
In addition, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued the following guides to help employees (and their families) plan and be prepared for emergencies:
Information for Supervisors & Human Resource Offices UPDATED!
In the event of pandemic influenza, employers play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical. CDC’s General Business and Workplace Guidance and Flu.gov Workplace Planning provide multiple helpful H1N1 Flu planning documents and checklists. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) developed multiple documents outlining the range of human resource policies and flexibilities available to assist in meeting employees' and agencies' during a pandemic, including:
In addition, the DOI Director of Human Resources Sharlyn Grigsby has issued the following memos to assist DOI and its Bureaus and Offices in pandemic planning
To further prevent the spread of this flu, employees who develop influenza-like-illness (fever with either cough or sore throat) are 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. (This information is outlined in the "H1N1 Flu and You" guidance and the "Health Alert: Novel H1N1 Flu"
OPM created multiple other documents describing the wide range of human resource policies and flexibilities to assist in meeting employees' and agencies' needs during emergencies. For more information, read the OPM memorandum "Human Resources Flexibilities Available to Assist Federal Employees During Emergencies."
DOI Bureaus Information & Websites
Bureau of Indian Education Schools  UPDATED!
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) 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 it serves. See Bureau of Indian Education Memorandum.
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal Information The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) responsibility is the administration and management of 55.7 million acres of land held in trust by the United States for American Indians, Indian tribes, and Alaska Natives. There are 562 federal recognized tribal governments in the United States.
Guidance on Public Gatherings and Meetings CDC's "Interim Guidance for Public Gatherings in Response to Human Infections with Novel Influenza A (H1N1)" provides interim guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal officials to use in developing recommendations for large gatherings in their communities, such as college and university commencements, social and cultural celebrations, and meetings/conferences. As outlined in this guidance, decisions regarding large meetings and public gatherings should be made based on local influenza activity, evolving information about severity of illness from this virus, and identification of high risk groups, and other local considerations. Information Technology Guidance Related to 2009 H1N1 Flu The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) wants employees to be aware the DOI Computer Incident Response Center (DOI CIRC) reported emails with malicious attachments being received by users with filenames and subject lines related to the recent reports of the Swine Flu outbreak OCIO Notice - Be Aware Spammers Exploit Swine Flu. more Several methods are available to gain remote access to information technology systems when employees are out of the office in situations such as teleworking. The Office of the Chief Technology Officer provides an outline of remote access methods. more 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:
Respirators, Masks, and other Occupational Health Issues The CDC provides guidance for the wearing of respiratory protection in a community setting in "Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where H1N1 Influenza Virus Has Been Detected". The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) provides guidance on respiratory protection in occupational settings for the H1N1 Flu in these documents: “What Employers can do to Protect Workers from Pandemic Influenza In addition, 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, OSHA requires employers to ensure that the respiratory protection issued to their employees is used safely and effectively. The DOI Office of Occupational Health and Safety provides a Respiratory Protection Program Primer
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