Bureau for Public Health

Office of Emergency Medical Services

WV HAN Advisory 132 Influenza Assoicated Outbreaks In Schools 02242017 FINAL

While the information contained in this news article was current and accurate when we posted it, it may not necessarily represent current WVOEMS policy or procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 304-558-3956.

Posted: Friday, February 24, 2017 3:36 PM

 

WVDHHR, Bureau for Public Health
DATE: February 24, 2017
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS: PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY HEALTH PROVIDERS, HOSPITAL-BASED PHYSICIANS, SCHOOLS, INFECTION CONTROL PREVENTIONISTS, LABORATORY DIRECTORS, AND OTHER APPLICABLE PARTNERS
OTHER RECIPIENTS: PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO ASSOCIATION MEMBERS, STAFF, ETC.
Influenza activity is currently high in the United States, and West Virginia (WV) is reporting widespread influenza activity. The predominant strain circulating in WV is influenza A (H3N2), but approximately a third of respiratory specimens have tested positive for influenza B this season. Flu activity has been moderate so far, with severity indicators within the range of what has been seen during previous seasons during which influenza A (H3N2) viruses have predominated. Thirty-six (36) influenza outbreaks have been reported since January 2017 with about a third being reported from school settings.
Healthcare providers are encouraged to consider the following recommendations:
 Continue to offer and encourage influenza vaccination to all unvaccinated persons aged ≥6 months as long as influenza viruses are circulating. Vaccination can reduce the likelihood of severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.
 Influenza testing of individual patients may provide clinically useful results that will help with diagnosis and treatment decisions.
 It is important to determine the etiology of respiratory outbreaks in closed settings. Testing for influenza by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is available at the WV Office of Laboratory Services for surveillance and outbreak response and should be coordinated through your local health department. For a list of local health departments, visit http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/localhealth/Pages/Map.aspx.
 Influenza antiviral medications are an important adjunct to vaccination in the treatment and prevention of influenza. For a summary of clinical practices regarding the use of influenza antiviral medications, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm.
 Encourage children and adults to take every day preventive actions to protect themselves against influenza including using good hand hygiene and staying home from school or work when sick.
Guidelines for the management of outbreaks in schools can be found at: http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/disease/ob/Pages/OutbreakToolkits.aspx.
For more information, contact your local health department or the Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (DIDE) at 1-800-423-1271, ext. 1 or (304)558-5358, ext. 1; or call the Answering Service at (304) 925-9946.

WVDHHR, Bureau for Public Health

 

DATE: February 24, 2017

LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS: PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY HEALTH PROVIDERS, HOSPITAL-BASED PHYSICIANS, SCHOOLS, INFECTION CONTROL PREVENTIONISTS, LABORATORY DIRECTORS, AND OTHER APPLICABLE PARTNERS

OTHER RECIPIENTS: PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO ASSOCIATION MEMBERS, STAFF, ETC.

 

Influenza activity is currently high in the United States, and West Virginia (WV) is reporting widespread influenza activity. The predominant strain circulating in WV is influenza A (H3N2), but approximately a third of respiratory specimens have tested positive for influenza B this season. Flu activity has been moderate so far, with severity indicators within the range of what has been seen during previous seasons during which influenza A (H3N2) viruses have predominated. Thirty-six (36) influenza outbreaks have been reported since January 2017 with about a third being reported from school settings.

Healthcare providers are encouraged to consider the following recommendations:

  • Continue to offer and encourage influenza vaccination to all unvaccinated persons aged ≥6 months as long as influenza viruses are circulating. Vaccination can reduce the likelihood of severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.
  • Influenza testing of individual patients may provide clinically useful results that will help with diagnosis and treatment decisions.
  • It is important to determine the etiology of respiratory outbreaks in closed settings. Testing for influenza by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is available at the WV Office of Laboratory Services for surveillance and outbreak response and should be coordinated through your local health department. For a list of local health departments, visit http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/localhealth/Pages/Map.aspx.
  • Influenza antiviral medications are an important adjunct to vaccination in the treatment and prevention of influenza. For a summary of clinical practices regarding the use of influenza antiviral medications, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm.
  • Encourage children and adults to take every day preventive actions to protect themselves against influenza including using good hand hygiene and staying home from school or work when sick.

 

Guidelines for the management of outbreaks in schools can be found at: http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/disease/ob/Pages/OutbreakToolkits.aspx.

For more information, contact your local health department or the Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (DIDE) at 1-800-423-1271, ext. 1 or (304)558-5358, ext. 1; or call the Answering Service at (304) 925-9946.

 

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