Introduction
The flu season is upon us. Whether it's an uncommon strain such as H1N1 or just the latest seasonal influenza, the flu is a real threat to our mission, our families, and our way of life.
The health of our personnel is critical to do the mission of NORAD and USNORTHCOM. Under the National Response Framework, USNORTHCOM could be called upon to assist a primary federal agency such as the Department of Health and Human Services in response to a crisis like pandemic influenza. Now, more than ever, the health and welfare of service members, civilians, contractors and the families who support them is incredibly important.
NORAD and USNORTHCOM have been actively planning for the flu season. Influenza vaccine for seasonal flu shots have already been made available to military personnel; civilian personnel are highly encouraged to get vaccinated as well. H1N1 vaccine is a separate vaccine and is not yet available; when the H1N1 vaccine does become available, personnel will be notified.
So far, it does not appear that the H1N1 influenza has gotten more severe than when it first appeared in April 2009. This means that it will likely circulate this fall and cause illness much the same as seasonal influenza – most people will have a mild disease with fever, sore throat, and a cough that will last 1-4 days. However, some may experience severe, or even life-threatening, disease.
We all have the responsibility to take measures to protect ourselves, our families and others from infection. At home and day-to-day, personnel can take action to protect against infection. The first defense is the seasonal flu vaccine; frequent hand washing with soap and water and the use of hand sanitizers between washes; coughing or sneezing into your sleeve; maintaining a safe distance from sick people; and getting plenty of rest and exercise are all preventative measures personnel should take. In addition, if sick, personnel should stay home and avoid contact with other people.
The NORAD and USNORTHCOM Command Surgeon is continually monitoring the situation and ensuring preparations are made in case the flu season is particularly severe this year. Each NORAD and USNORTHCOM Director has been tasked to develop a Directorate Pandemic Influenza Plan.
Armed with a plan and current information, we shall maintain the ability of NORAD and USNORTHCOM to respond as a military force dedicated to defending our skies, defending our homelands and providing support to civil authorities if necessary.
Types of Influenza
INFLUENZA: Influenza is a viral disease that causes many illnesses each season. Estimates are that between 15% and 40% of the population will develop illness from influenza
every year. The "flu" is a common catch-all term among the general public for a variety of illnesses, but it correctly applies only to the respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus.
PANDEMIC: A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges and
people have little or no immunity and no vaccinations exist. The disease spreads easily from person-to-person and can quickly sweep around the globe and across the country. Today's society is especially at risk for quick spread because of worldwide travel and trade. It is very difficult to predict when the next pandemic influenza will hit or how severe it will be, but we do know that once it hits, everyone around the world will be at risk. The last pandemic influenzas in history were in the 1960's, 1950's, 1910's and the worst was in 1918-1919 when a significant number of Americans died.
TYPES OF INFLUENZA:
- Seasonal (or common) flu: a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
- Bird flu: commonly used to refer to Avian flu (see below). Bird flu viruses infect birds, including chickens, other poultry and wild birds such as ducks.
- Avian flu: caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. Low pathogenic AI is common in birds and causes few problems. Highly pathogenic H5N1 is deadly to domestic fowl, can be transmitted from birds to humans, and is deadly to humans. It rarely can be spread from person to person. There is virtually no human immunity and human vaccine availability is very limited.
- H1N1 flu (formally known as Pandemic (H1N1) and referred to a swine flu early on): a new influenza virus that spreads from person-to-person. This new virus was first detected in the U.S. in April 2009, and is now a pandemic. A H1N1 outbreak poses the potential to be serious given the fact that there currently is no vaccine against this virus. In addition, because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result.
For more information, visit:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/general/index.html#factsheets
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
Staying Healthy
Ways You Can Stay Healthy
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise, and relaxation.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
- Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
- Do not use other workers' phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. If you need to use a co-worker's phone, desk, or other equipment, clean it first.
- Don't spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
- Get vaccinated against seasonal flu! If you are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications you should receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine when available.
For additional information on staying healthy, visit: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/individual/index.html#healthy
Signs and Symptoms
Initial Influenza Symptoms:
Fever (100.5 F or above that does not decrease within two hours with home treatment) |
Headache |
Fatigue |
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Cough and/or sore throat |
Runny or stuffy nose |
Body aches |
Diarrhea and vomiting |
Note: If you have a fever associated with any of these symptoms, you should stay at home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines. |
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When to Seek Health Care
Most people should be able to recover at home, but watch for these emergency warning signs that mean
you should seek immediate medical care.
In adults:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In children:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Irritable, the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
For additional information on what to do if you have signs and symptoms, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm
Preparation
Families and Individuals need to do their part to ensure that they are prepared for Pandemic Influenza.
The first step in family PI planning is to ensure that personal information is available to all family members; anyone may be left in charge if others are sick.
It is also a good idea to have a list of emergency contacts available. These should include friends, family members, neighbors, and emergency services such as the police and fire department. Stock your pantry with the essential foods, medical items, and personal hygiene items. If PI hits this area, it is best to avoid public places such as grocery stores as much as possible; if you already have the “family emergency list” items on hand, you can avoid going to stores.
- Think about your family's specific needs. Where will you get food and water if your stock pile runs out? Do you have an alternate heat source in case electricity is shut off?
- Consider taking CPR classes with your family.
- Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or who they should call under what circumstances.
Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:
| Examples of food and non-perishables | Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies |
| Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups | Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment |
| Protein or fruit bars | Soap and water, or alcohol-based (60-95%) hand wash |
| Dry cereal or granola | Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen |
| Peanut butter or nuts | Thermometer |
| Dried fruit | Anti-diarrheal medication |
| Crackers | Vitamins |
| Canned juices | Fluids with electrolytes |
| Bottled water | Cleansing agent/soap |
| Canned or jarred baby food and formula | Flashlight |
| Pet food | Batteries |
| Other non-perishable items | Portable radio |
| Manual can opener | |
| Garbage bags | |
| Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers |
For more information on preparing for an emergency, visit:
http://www.northcom.mil/preparedness/index.html
http://www.whatifcolorado.com/emergency_kit_calculator.asp
Vaccines
YOUR BEST PROTECTION from Influenza: Vaccines
Individuals are encouraged to get both vaccines as soon as possible.
- Seasonal Influenza Vaccine - now available!
- 2009 H1N1 Vaccine - available now in limited quantity!
The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine are separate vaccinations.
A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year, the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine has been developed and produced for the 2009 flu season.
The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the H1N1 (Swine) flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each protects against a different virus and is intended to be used along-side the other.
It is expected that there will be enough 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for anyone who chooses to get vaccinated. However, certain groups have been identified as high priority to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/highrisk.htm to learn if you are included.
The US federal government has procured 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. This quantity of vaccine accounts for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical trial data showing that children 6 months to 9 years of age will need two doses and persons 10 and older will need one dose.
Both the flu shot (in the arm) and nasal spray form of 2009 H1N1 vaccines have now been produced and licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. Distribution of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine began 5 Oct 09.
Military members will be advised when H1N1 vaccine is available.
For more information on the H1N1 vaccine, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm
For Colorado Public Health and Environment local guidance on where to get flu shots, visit: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/Influenza/
For information on Peterson AFB vaccines, visit: http://www.peterson.af.mil/library/medicalgroup/allergyandimmunizations/index.asp
Questions and Answers
The threat posed by a pandemic influenza is a significant force health protection issue.Personnel must take measures now to remain healthy, and be well prepared in the event that they, or their family members, are affected by a pandemic flu virus.
Managers must anticipate and plan to ensure mission assurance and continuity of operations during a pandemic.
While it is far from certain the severity of the influenza this season, knowledge and planning are essential to ensuring the health of personnel and continuity of operations.
Pandemic planning requires that people not accustomed to responding to health crises understand the disease and the priorities required to prepare for and respond to these potential risks. Thus, many questions may exist.
Click Here for Common Questions and Answers
(This link will open to the Attached Q & A)
Resources
| Resources to learn more about the ongoing pandemic can be found at the following sites: | ||||||||||||
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| http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/ | ||||||||||||
| http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ | ||||||||||||
| http://www.readycolorado.com/epidemics.php | ||||||||||||
| http://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/pandemic/pandemic_ | ||||||||||||
| http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/Influenza/ | ||||||||||||
| http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0509_h1n1/ | ||||||||||||
| http://www.vaccines.mil/documents/886PandemicFluPolicy.pdf | ||||||||||||
| http://pandemicflu.gov/professional/ | ||||||||||||
| http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ | ||||||||||||
| http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ | ||||||||||||
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Introduction | Types of Influenza | Staying Healthy | Signs and Symptoms
Preparation | Vaccines | Q & A | Resources