SWINE FLU INFORMATION

Where to get the Swine Flu vaccine click to view

While the overall Public Health Department Web site is being updated, the current site has been simplified to reflect the urgent work at-hand – preparing for pandemic H1N1 flu and the delivery of the new vaccine. In the left column you will find H1N1 information, as well as other services that are searched often.

For recorded information about public health issues and current outbreaks, please call the Public Health Department Information Line: 408.885.3980.

For general information about the Public Health Department and how to contact various programs, please call the referral line at 408.792.5050.

2-1-1 is a free, non-emergency, confidential, 3 digit phone number and service, providing important information about community services. 2-1-1 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in over 170 languages.

H1N1 Flu Vaccine status as of 10/07/09 12:00pm
The first doses of H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine arrived in Santa Clara County on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. Click here for more information.(NEW)

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2009 Binational Health Week, October 2-14
Binational Health Week is an annual weeklong series of health promotion and health education activities that include workshops, insurance referrals, and medical screenings, designed to promote awareness in the Latino community.

Pandemic means global, and does not indicate the severity or mildness of the virus. The evidence to date overwhelming shows that the virus is mild in most cases. Since this is a new flu virus for which the population has little or no immunity, scientists and health professionals are concerned that as it passes through populations, it could mutate (change) to become more serious and return with increased force in the fall/winter influenza season.

Because Santa Clara County is already responding to local cases of H1N1 (swine) flu, the change to Phase 6 does not affect our response. The Santa Clara County Public Health Department will continue to work with other local, state and federal agencies, monitor the situation, perform laboratory tests, provide recommendations to the public, schools, and clinicians, and implement any needed measures to protect the public's health.

Individuals also need to take action to be better prepared. It is important to stay informed about H1N1 and keep up-to-date by listening to radio and television, and reading news stories. For more information about Pandemic influenza, click here.

This site provides the following information (click on the items below to go to that section):

What You Need to Know

Pandemic means global and since the new flu virus – H1N1 - is spreading easily from one person to another, is found in many countries, a influenza pandemic is underway. At this time, the evidence shows that the virus is mild in most cases. But since this is a new flu virus for which the population has little or no immunity, scientists and health professionals are concerned that as it passes through populations, it could mutate (change) to become more serious and return with increased force in the fall/winter influenza season.

Individuals and families need to take action to be better prepared. Please review the information in this section so that you can be ready to take care of any family or household members who may become sick.

Each of the sections below provide information to help you and your family prepare for Pandemic Influenza.

?          Back to School Information for Parents (Fall 2009)

?          Home Care Guide for Pandemic Influenza

?          Your Guide to Preparing for Pandemic Influenza

?          Frequently Asked Questions

?          H1N1 Fact Sheets

?          Web Resources

?          What is Pandemic Flu?

?          What is the H1N1 flu?

?          Why should I be concerned about Pandemic H1N1 flu?

?          What should I do?

This section includes information for the general public on what you can do to prepare for a possible pandemic flu and how to limit the spread of disease.

?          Are there any current travel restrictions?

?          What if I have recently traveled to an affect area?

?          Why is there a concern?

?          What is H1N1 flu?

?          Is this H1N1 flu virus contagious?

?          What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

?          How does H1N1 flu spread?

?          How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

?          What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

?          Are there medicines to treat H1N1 flu?

?          How long can an infected person spread H1N1 flu to others?

?          What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

?          How long can viruses live outside the body?

?          What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

?          What should I do if I get sick?

?          Can I get H1N1 influenza from eating or preparing pork?

?          Should I wear a mask?

?          What is the difference between a pandemic and an epidemic?

?          What are public health officials doing?

?          Is this an act of terrorism?

?          Where can I get more information?

This section contains facts about the H1N1 Flu Virus including background information and symptoms as well as other important facts.

?          Background Information on New Flu Virus H1N1

?          What is the new flu virus H1N1 and how serious is the infection?

?          What are the symptoms of the new flu virus H1N1?

?          How is the new flu virus H1N1 spread?

?          Prevention

?          If you think you are sick

?          For more information

Throughout an influenza pandemic you may be asked or required to do things to help slow down the spread of the disease. If public health officials or your healthcare provider ask you to take certain actions, it will be important to follow those instructions. The following Fact Sheets provide information and examples of what you may be asked or required to do.

Isolation & Quarantine  are public health actions used to contain the spread of a contagious disease. If asked, it will be important to follow these instructions.

Social Distancing  is a term applied to certain actions that are taken by health officials to stop or slow down the spread of a highly contagious disease. This Fact Sheet can help you understand what you may be asked to do if the Health Officer puts social distancing measures into practice.

The following Fact Sheets give information about the different kinds of flu.
 Avian Flu Fact Sheet
 Pandemic Flu Fact Sheet

Please visit the following Web sites for more information about pandemic influenza and emergency preparedness.

Go to www.pandemicflu.gov for information regarding pandemic influenza including checklists for individuals & families, healthcare providers, businesses, local governments, community and faith-based organizations and schools.

Go to www.cdc.gov for information about pandemic flu, including infection control recommendations, antiviral medications and other health formation.

Go to www.fda.gov for questions and answers about using personal protective equipment during an influenza outbreak.

Go to www.hhs.gov for information about pandemic flu surveillance, lab diagnostics, novel case reporting, and pandemic flu planning.

Go to www.redcross.org for all the information needed to make an emergency preparation plan and kit.
 
Go to www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/dcdc/dcdcindex.htm for the California Department of Health Services’ Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan and Isolation and Quarantine Order templates.

What You Need to Know
Preparation and general information for individuals and families, including information on H1N1 and how to limit the spread of flu.
 

For Partners
Preparation and general information for schools, employers, community and faith-based organizations, healthcare providers and local governments.
 

News Room
The latest updates, travel information and past media releases
 

Pandemic Flu Plan for Santa Clara County
Outlines the Public Health Department's preparations and response activities to pandemic flu and influenza care centers.
 

Questions or comments can be directed to PanFlu@hhs.sccgov.org

   English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin Version             click to view