As of Thursday morning, 30 April, there are 109 confirmed human infections of the swine flu (i.e., N1H1 virus) in 11 states of the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Considering the growth of the influenza virus nationally and internationally, U.S. medical authorities are actively evaluating and advising regarding this national public health emergency. For the benefit of Emergency Services Sector (ESS) department and agencies, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) assembled recommendations for actions that can be implemented to protect ESS personnel in their performance of duties. These few basic precautions are from the CDC and other first responder sources:
- Review state and local pandemic plans and apply applicable provisions.
- Implement acute febrile respiratory infection screening for all callers or patients with nasal congestion, cough, fever, or other flu-like symptoms.
- Request additional information from the dispatcher when sent to respiratory, sick person, and fever-related calls, but given only limited initial information.
- Perform initial interview of all patients from more than 6 feet away to determine if personal protective equipment precautions are necessary.
- Place a standard surgical mask on all patients with suspected influenza symptoms before approach.
- Maintain strict adherence to hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand disinfectant immediately after removing gloves following any contact with patients.
- See more detailed recommendations at the 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 (H1N1) Infection (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_ems.htm).
The EMR-ISAC offers the following links for more suggestions to protect responders from infection: