CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to an expanding outbreak caused by H1N1 (swine flu).
CDC's response goals are to:
Reduce transmission and illness severity, and
Provide
information to help health care providers, public health officials and
the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.
CDC continues to issue and update interim guidance
daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation. This includes
guidance on when to close schools and how to care for someone who is
sick at home. Supplies from CDC's Division of the Strategic National
Stockpile (SNS) are being sent to all 50 states and U.S. territories to
help them respond to the outbreak. In addition, the Federal Government
and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine
against this new virus.
Response actions are aggressive, but they may vary across states and
communities depending on local circumstances. Communities, businesses,
places of worship, schools and individuals can all take action to slow
the spread of this outbreak. People who are sick are urged to stay home
from work or school and to avoid contact with others, except to seek
medical care. This action can avoid spreading illness further.
Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash
your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or
sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay
home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or
school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Develop a family emergency plan
as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food,
medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential
supplies.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
For more information on what you can to stay safe and healthy, check the CDC H1N1 Flu website.