A Message from the Editor
May 28, 2009
Influenza illness, including illness associated with the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus, is ongoing in the United States. The states that have reported the most novel H1N1 activity are Arizona, California, Illinois, New York, Texas, Washington state and Wisconsin.
During week 19 (May 10 –16), the May 22 FluView Report shows that influenza activity decreased in the United States; however, there are still higher levels of influenza-like illness than is normal for this time of year. Overall, the nationwide level of outpatient visits to providers for influenza-like illness is back below the national baseline and seems to be trending downward.
It's uncertain at this time how severe this novel H1N1 outbreak will be in terms of how many people infected have severe complications or death related to novel H1N1 influenza infection. We are still learning about the severity and other epidemiological characteristics of the novel H1N1 influenza virus. For the latest number of confirmed cases, visit CDC's Novel H1N1 Flu Situation Update.
For questions or concerns during this evolving outbreak, visit the CDC Partners' Web site, contact us at 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or send an e-mail to CDC Partnerships.
Warm Regards,
CDC Partnerships
CDC Headlines
Virtual Reality Helps CDC Staff Prepare for Outbreak Response
Recently, about 20 CDC professionals visited a remote African village to aid in an outbreak investigation. While family members of dying patients wailed in the background and body bags were stacked outside the field medical center, the CDC staff set about to orient themselves to the sites, sounds and smells of this new place. They did so without leaving the CDC Atlanta Roybal Campus. >> read the full text
Guidance for Public Gatherings in Response to Novel Influenza A (H1N1)
In crowded settings, social distancing is difficult to maintain. As a result, there may be increased risk for spread of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus among attendees and subsequent spread of illness in the community or in communities to where attendees return. CDC has developed recommendations intended to reduce the spread of influenza infection in communities. >> read the full text
CDC Provides Travel Notices In Response to H1N1 Flu
Novel Influenza A (H1N1) has raised many concerns about international and domestic travel. A recent concern was travel to Mexico. On May 15, CDC downgraded its Travel Health Warning that recommended against non-essential travel to Mexico to a Travel Health Precaution for Mexico. A Travel Health Precaution means CDC does NOT recommend against travel to the area, but is a notification by CDC that a disease outbreak of greater scope is occurring in a more widespread geographic area. >> read the full text
Events and Seminars
All events and seminars listed are open to CDC's partners. For more information, contact the POC listed. >> read the full text
May 2009
Design for the Other 90%
Hosted by CDC's Global Health Odyssey Museum, the National Center for Environmental Health and Coordinating Office for Global Health
April–May
June 2009
113th AFDO Annual Education Conference
Hosted by the Association of Food and Drug Officials
June 6–10
July 2009
Improving Public Health Through Leadership and Knowledge
Hosted by the National Association of Local Boards of Health
July 1–3
Weight of the Nation Conference
Hosted by CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity
July 27–29
August 2009
Third Annual National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
Hosted by CDC's National Center for Health Marketing and Office of Enterprise Communication, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Cancer Institute and National Public Health Information Coalition
August 11–13
Public Health Information Network (PHIN) Conference 2009
Hosted by the National Center for Public Health Informatics (NCPHI) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
August 30–September 3
October 2009
2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference
Hosted by CDC's National Center for Environmental Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and National Environmental Health Association
October 26–28
CDC Personnel
Retirements
Edward Dacey, associate director for informatics, Office of the Director, NIOSH, will retire May 31.
Dorothy “Dottie” Knight, MS, IT Specialist, Division of eHealth Marketing, NCHM, will retire May 31.
Sheila West, management analyst, Management Analysis and Services Office, will retire June 2.
Personnel Changes
Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, has been appointed the new CDC Director. Frieden will officially begin in early June 2009.
Deaths
Gerald R. Cooper, MD, PhD, senior service fellow, Division of Laboratory Sciences, NCEH, died May 25.
Get Informed
New! White House Office of Public Engagement
New! Novel H1N1 Flu: Creating a Safe and Healthy Workplace (podcast)
CDC Partnership Matters: Reader's Feedback
The bi-weekly update is prepared by CDC's Division of Partnership and Strategic Alliances. Readers are welcome to comment by
e-mail to cdcpartnerships@cdc.gov.
