H1N1 in Texas
The H1N1 flu virus was first identified and cases were first confirmed in Texas in April 2009. This new strain of flu virus spread quickly.
By June 2009, cases of H1N1 flu had been reported in all 50 states in the United States, and the World Health Organization had declared the H1N1 flu a pandemic. See the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Flu.gov H1N1 timeline.
Doctors in Texas responded to the outbreak, even as information on the virus, vaccine ordering process, and treatment continued to evolve. Doctors offered guidance to patients, triaged the sick in the emergency rooms, and administered millions of doses of vaccine.
In addition, a group of TMA physician experts called the Flu Fighters gave TMA members up-to-date H1N1 outbreak information and tools online. TMA’s list of resources and Flu Fighter messages are archived.
Although flu is not a reportable condition in Texas, starting Sept. 20, 2009, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) collected reports of confirmed novel H1N1 cases of hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and deaths. The DSHS final surveillance report (PDF) of the 2009-10 flu season listed 240 H1N1-related deaths and 2,316 hospitalizations in Texas.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the final issue of FluView, a weekly national flu surveillance report, for the 2009-10 season.
Lessons From H1N1 Pandemic
The CDC summarized much of the 2009 outbreak data, including how the flu affected certain populations, and estimates of total cases. For example:
The Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Texas House Public Health Committee were charged with looking at the Texas response to the H1N1 pandemic. TMA physicians provided testimony at both interim hearings.
DSHS is conducting a final assessment of the H1N1 response, which will include analysis of activities such as allocating and distributing vaccine and antiviral medication, and is developing guidance for medical response across the state. The final report, to be written during summer 2010, will include analysis from TMA members.
Looking Ahead
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended “universal” flu vaccination for anyone 6 months and older in the United States starting in 2010-11 flu season. The vaccine for next season’s flu will protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus and two other flu viruses.
TMA strongly supports immunization of all physicians with the recommended vaccines available for preventable, communicable diseases, including the annual flu shot. Despite the recommendations, often health care workers do not protect themselves against the flu. During the 2009-10 flu season, only about 35 percent of health care workers reported receiving both the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.
Last Published: 7/20/2010
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