Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus that was first detected in April 2009. The virus has sparked a growing and expanding pandemic - with 214 countries worldwide reporting confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu, including over 18,300 deaths, to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Many factors changed since the H1N1 Flu first arrived. There is little 2009 H1N1 Flu virus currently circulating and causing illness in the United States. No states are reporting widespread or regional influenza activity, and most states are reporting no activity or sporadic activity. This is typical for the summer during non-pandemic years. Hospitalizations from influenza-like illnesses have also fallen to their usual low levels for this time of year. In response to the current situation of the H1N1 Flu activity in the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did not renew the public health emergency declaration for the H1N1 Flu Pandemic, and it expired on June 23. In addition, on August 10, the WHO announced that the world is no longer in phase 6 of influenza pandemic alert, and we are now moving into the post-pandemic period.
In light of all of this, the Department of the Interior Office of Emergency Management (DOI OEM) is scaling back the various H1N1 Flu mitigation measures employed in response to the H1N1 Flu Pandemic and outlined in previous memoranda (which can be found in the Guidance for Bureau and Office Emergency Planners section of this website).
In doing so, we note that the H1N1 Flu is still circulating. Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come. Pandemics, like the viruses that cause them, are unpredictable. So is the immediate post-pandemic period. There will be many questions, and we will have clear answers for only some. Continued vigilance is extremely important. Everyone should still take basic precautions to prevent themselves and their families from getting flu and other respiratory infections in the first place – for example, by washing your hands frequently, covering your cough with a sleeve or a tissue, and staying home if you are ill.
The Office of Emergency Management will continue to maintain awareness of the continually evolving situation and will provide additional updates and guidance (on this website and through other means) if the situation dictates.
The H1N1 Flu Questions & Answers webpage provides answers to many of the questions individuals, as well as bureaus and offices, have posed about the H1N1 Flu and related issues.
Information for Employees & Their Families
UPDATED!
Flu.gov contains checklists and other helpful materials for family and individual planning. As you plan, it is important to think about the challenges that you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe.
This H1N1 Flu is causing greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years old than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this H1N1 Flu. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.
Based on available evidence and experience from past pandemics, it is likely that the H1N1 Flu virus will continue to cause serious disease in younger age groups, at least in the immediate post-pandemic period. Groups identified during the pandemic as at higher risk of severe or fatal illness will probably remain at heightened risk in this post-pandemic phase, though hopefully the number of such cases will diminish.
In addition, a small proportion of people infected during the pandemic, including young and healthy people, developed a severe form of primary viral pneumonia that is not typically seen during seasonal epidemics and is especially difficult and demanding to treat. It is not known whether this pattern will change during the post-pandemic period, further emphasizing the need for vigilance.
The H1N1 Flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal flu viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus. Therefore, public health officials encourage good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands to help stop the spread of germs and prevent the flu. If you develop influenza-like-illness (symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, chills and aches) do not come into work. In addition, if you have family members who are ill with flu-like illness, have them stay home from work, school and other settings where they would interact with others. Instead, self-isolate at home for 7 days after the onset of illness, or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
To help you determine if your symptoms could be caused by the flu, answer a few short questions on this self-evaluation tool. (Please note that these questions are for your information only and the information should not be used as a substitute for evaluation and treatment by a healthcare professional.) If you are experiencing influenza-like illness, and wish to seek medical care, contact your health care provider to report illness (by telephone or other remote means) before seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers regarding products related to the H1N1 Flu that are promoted and marketed to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 Flu virus but are not approved, cleared, or authorized by the FDA. Consumers are urged to only purchase FDA-approved products from licensed pharmacies located in the United States, and should contact their health professional if they have any questions or concerns about medical products or personal protective equipment. To help you determine if a product is FDA-approved, click on the FDA Fraudulent H1N1 Products Widget.
Guidance for Bureau and Office Emergency Planners
UPDATED!
While specific public health guidance for the H1N1 Flu should be obtained from
the Flu.gov website, the DOI Pandemic Influenza Plan, issued November 2007, serves as
the baseline document for bureau and office emergency planning.
In addition, the Office of Emergency Management issued guidance letters to assist bureaus and offices.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also developed many helpful materials that can be used by bureaus and offices in developing employee awareness and education campaigns for H1N1 Flu.
Information for Supervisors & Human Resource Offices
In the event of pandemic influenza, employers play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical.
The “Pandemic Influenza Plan - Supervisors Guide for the Office of the Secretary” was developed to assist supervisors in their planning/preparing and responding to the H1N1 Flu Pandemic. This Supervisors Guide consolidates current guidance from the Office of Occupational Health and Safety, Office of Human Resources, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Communications, and the National Business Center. Bureaus can use this as a sample when updating or creating their own materials.
In addition, the DOI Director of Human Resources Sharlyn Grigsby issued the following memos to assist DOI and its Bureaus and Offices in pandemic planning:
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued updated guidance that provides additional Q&As and information to reflect the situation during the 2009 - 2010 flu season:
The CDC continues to encourage everyone to get vaccinated against the flu.
Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent influenza.
The CDC and multiple medical/health organizations issued the "Open Letter to the American People about the H1N1 Flu Vaccine" to encourage Americans to get vaccinated. This letter emphasizes that the H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to protect against the H1N1 Flu.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius and Director of OPM John Berry issued the September 30, 2009 “Immunization of Federal Workers with 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccines” memorandum to heads of the Executive Departments and Agencies to provide guidance on this.
As outlined in the DOI all-employee memo of October 8, 2009, the 2009 H1N1 vaccine was made available to DOI employees through the same channels as the seasonal flu vaccine. Employees are encouraged to get vaccinated for the H1N1 Flu by their healthcare provider or local healthcare system that they normally use to get their seasonal flu vaccine. Additional options may be available through your workplace.
In addition, as outlined in the 2009 H1N1 Flu –Memorandum #5issued on January 29, 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs health system is offering H1N1 vaccinations to DOI and other Federal employees who are health care or “emergency support staff,” or others who handle clinical specimens potentially containing influenza virus. “Emergency support staff” includes first responders (police, fire fighters, medical technicians, etc.), persons potentially deployed for disaster relief services, and critical Federal government staff in operational or regulatory positions (border security, staff essential for continuity of operations, etc.). By opening its doors to DOI health care and emergency support staff, the VA expands opportunities for our employees to be vaccinated. This could be especially useful in areas which do not have Federal Occupational Health service but may be proximity to a VA facility.
HHS is working with States and interested partners to build a zip code-based flu clinic locator covering both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines. States are posting new information every day about the availability of vaccine, as well as its distribution to priority groups and where to get vaccinated. There is also information on State planning and preparation efforts, as well as general flu information here.
*** This is not currently active during the summer months. It will return this fall as seasonal flu vaccine becomes available around the country. ***
*** MESSAGE FOR DOI EMPLOYEES IN THE DC AREA ***
H1N1 Vaccine:
The Health Unit in the Main Interior Building (MIB) is providing the H1N1 vaccine to DOI employees who would like to receive it--no special qualifications required. DOI employees who are interested in getting their H1N1 Flu vaccine should call the Health Unit (202-208-7057) for further information.
CDC received reports of fraudulent emails (phishing) referencing a CDC sponsored state vaccination program. These messages request that users create a personal Vaccination Profile on the cdc.gov website. The message also states that anyone who is 18 years or older has to have his/her personal Vaccination Profile on the cdc.gov site. CDC has NOT implemented a state vaccination program requiring registration on www.cdc.gov. Users that click on the email are at risk of having malicious code installed on their system. Therefore, CDC reminds users to take the following steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of a phishing attack:
Do not follow unsolicited links and do not open or respond to unsolicited email messages
Use caution when visiting un-trusted websites
Use caution when entering personal information online
In addition, the CDC received reports regarding charges, distribution and marketing irregularities involving the H1N1 vaccine and ancillary supplies. Therefore, the CDC developed the “Q & A: Fraud and Abuse Related to 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine” document to provide information to State and local immunization programs related to this issue and what measures they can take.
H1N1 Flu Case Reporting
The Office of Occupational Health and Safety created a H1N1 Flu reporting system on the Department’s Safety Management Information System (SMIS) to track and record DOI employees with suspected and confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu. This special SMIS H1N1 Flu reporting feature is embedded in the accident reporting portion of SMIS and is highlighted in red at the bottom of the screen.
Bureaus and offices are requested to implement this H1N1 Flu case reporting on SMIS though their supervisors and managers. In entering and updating case information, supervisors and managers are reporting the status of the H1N1 Flu case as being suspected, confirmed or not H1N1, as well as reporting when the employee returned to work.
This information enables us to gain a picture of the impact of H1N1 Flu on the Department as a whole, as well as by bureau/office and by geographic location. Pandemics travel in waves; not every community/region will be impacted the same time. Therefore, having SMIS H1N1 Flu data will help us better target our response measures and our communications more effectively to those areas that are being the most impacted.
Guidance on Public Gatherings and Meetings
UPDATED!
During the H1N1 Flu Pandemic, CDC developed the "Interim Guidance for Public Gatherings in Response to Human Infections with Novel Influenza A (H1N1)" to provide interim guidance for State, local, Territorial and Tribal officials in developing recommendations for large gatherings in their communities, such as college and university commencements, social and cultural celebrations, and meetings/conferences. As outlined in this guidance, decisions regarding large meetings and public gatherings should be made based on local influenza activity, evolving information about severity of illness from this virus, and identification of high risk groups, and other local considerations.
While the H1N1 Flu Pandemic has been officially declared as over, the H1N1 Flu and other influenza strains continue to circulate, as well as the common cold and other illnesses that are spread human-to-human. This guidance is also applicable to situations where there are community outbreaks of flu and other contagious illnesses that need to be contained.
Information Technology Guidance Related to 2009 H1N1 Flu
Telework
Telework will be a key method for social distancing while continuing the Department’s operations during a pandemic. Using guidance from the Office of Human Resources (OHR) and the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), telework agreements are in the process of being developed with certain DOI employees to enable them to work from home during a pandemic.
Supervisors need to become knowledgeable of these telework agreements, and which categories of employees they encompass. In addition, establish which employees in your office already have a telework agreement in place. Next, determine which personnel should have telework agreements in place so they can work remotely during the pandemic and allow for social distancing in your office. Once these personnel have been identified, work with these employees to get telework agreements in place for them.
Those employees who utilize information technology equipment (IT) during emergencies must work with their supervisor to establish a telework agreement and adhere to applicable cyber security policies, including using a Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) laptop. The DOI Enterprise Remote Access (eRAS), at https://vpn.doi.gov, provides online remote access for these personnel. In addition, GFE USB drives may be used by employees in these situations to store and transfer files. Government web-based email, GFE Blackberry, cellular phone or other mobile devices may also be used to conduct business during emergency situations. Employees should contact bureau/office helpdesks for assistance in establishing appropriate accounts and acquiring GFE.
Be Aware Spammers Exploit “H1N1 Flu and Swine Flu”
The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) wants employees to be aware the DOI Computer Incident Response Center (DOI CIRC) reported emails with malicious attachments are being received by users with filenames and subject lines related to the recent reports of the Pandemic H1N1 Flu and also the Swine Flu outbreak. This is due to the broad media coverage and lack of public knowledge about both the H1N1 Flu and Swine Flu, which gives spammers a higher than normal probability that computer users will open “How not to get H1N1 Flu.exe” and “Swine Flu” related spam messages. Spammers are using the H1N1 Flu and Swine Flu as a lure to get users to go to fake pharmaceutical and medical information websites. Additionally, the US - Computer Emergency Response Team (US CERT) has advised that this could be part of a spear phishing email campaign involving Adobe Reader (.pdf) attachments. DOI CIRC reminds users that phishing and spamming campaigns often coincide with highly publicized events and breaking news. USERS SHOULD REMAIN CAUTIOUS IN OPENING UNSOLICITED EMAIL.
Because of these potential phishing attacks and email scams, DOI CIRC encourages users to visit the U.S. Government’s Flu.gov website as their source for H1N1 Flu, and seasonal flu, related information.
In response to the spear phishing email campaign, the DOI CIRC team has put in place signatures on network perimeter security devices to monitor for these types of threats. All identified threats will be blocked immediately to eliminate any possibility of harm to the DOI network and its users. However, there may still be some of the malicious email that filters through or you may receive such fraudulent email from well meaning friends, family or co-workers.
To do your part in ensuring your system remains free of these security risks:
Don’t trust unsolicited email.
Do not follow unsolicited links and do not open unsolicited email messages.
Use caution when visiting non-trusted Web sites.
Use caution when downloading and installing applications.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) responsibility is the administration and management of 55.7 million acres of land held in trust by the United States for American Indians, Indian Tribes, and Alaska Natives. There are 562 Federally recognized Tribal governments in the United States.
Weekly epidemiology updates on the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) situation in IHS from the IHS Influenza Awareness System (IIAS)
Announcements from HHS and IHS leadership
Including the Secretary of HHS Kathleen Sebelius letter to Tribal leaders on October 7, 2009 providing them with the “2009 H1N1 Influenza Planning and Response: Resource Guide for American Indian/Alaskan Native Tribal Governments” to help Tribal governments and communities prepare for and respond to the 2009 H1N1 Flu pandemic
Other useful information on influenza surveillance, mitigation, vaccination communication and education
In addition, the CDC “Preparing Tribal Nations to Receive Strategic National Stockpile Assets ” brochure provides information and guidance to Tribes on the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), and the actions Tribal communities need to take to request, receive and distribute their portion of the SNS.
Bureau of Indian Education Schools
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) operates 184 schools in 23 states. The Bureau of Indian Education's number one priority continues to be safe and secure schools for the students it serves. See Bureau of Indian Education Memorandum. Additional information on H1N1 Flu response can be found at the BIE website.
CDC and the U. S. Department of Education have established a School Dismissal Monitoring System to report on novel influenza (H1N1)-related school or school district dismissal in the United States. For more information, or to report a dismissed school, go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/dismissal_form/.
Updated CDC guidance for colleges, universities and other institutions of higher education:
In addition, the American College Health Association released a letter on March 5 to encourage college students, faculty and staff to protect themselves against H1N1 Flu by getting vaccinated. This is especially important as we head into the spring break “season” when large numbers of students travel both domestically and internationally.
Updated CDC guidance for child care and early childhood programs:
Additional guidance and planning documents and checklists for schools, as well as lesson plans and teaching materials on pandemic flu, can be found at http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/index.html.
Office of Insular Affairs and Insular Areas Information
The Secretary of the Interior has administrative responsibility for coordinating Federal policy in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Secretary also oversees U.S. Federal assistance provided to the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau (ROP) under the Compacts of Free Association. The Secretary delegates his authority to the Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) executes the above responsibilities on behalf of the Secretary.
Improving the quality of health care in the Insular Areas is one of the top priorities for OIA. Through the Compacts of Free Association, OIA administers the majority of health care funding in the FSM and the RMI. In addition, in OIA’s oversight role, its health specialist closely monitors health status and performance, helps in planning and response to health issues and provides assistance to the health departments during public health emergencies. To leverage its efforts and best coordinate Federal response to health care needs in the Insular Areas, the DOI signed a joint agreement with the HHS, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense creating the Interagency Coordinated Assets for Insular Health Response (I-CAIHR). More information on I-CAIHR can be found at http://www.doi.gov/oia/Firstpginfo/health_summit/HS_report.html .
While each Insular government's health department works directly with the WHO, CDC and HHS, OIA has been in direct communication with their health officials to facilitate information sharing. Contact information for Insular Area health officials can be found at http://www.doi.gov/oia/Firstpginfo/health_summit/health_contacts.html.
The “Avian and Pandemic Influenza Response and Preparedness Plan for the Federal Wildland Fire Agencies” provides guidance to ensure the safety of all DOI and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service employees involved in routine fire assignments and activities for emergency responses (including for pandemic influenza). This plan also serves to assist agency administrators/line officers, agency liaisons and incident management teams in dealing with a suspected/confirmed outbreak/pandemic of infectious disease (including an outbreak in a wildland firefighting base camp, local community or workplace).
Law Enforcement
The Department of Justice, Office of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance “Preparing the Justice System for Pandemic Influenza” website provides many useful documents and planning tools oriented towards the justice system, including the courts, corrections/detention centers, and law enforcement and public safety. Some helpful documents included on this website are:
In addition, HHS developed multiple pandemic planning checklists that law enforcement agencies will find useful in their preparing/planning for the H1N1 Flu.
The National Park Service, which manages an extensive Emergency Medical Services program throughout the National Park system, provides the following information which may be useful to other DOI emergency medical service providers:
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2009 H1N1 Flu – Memorandum #5, July 20, 2010
memorandum to heads of the Executive Departments and Agencies to provide guidance on this. 
