NEWS RELEASE 09:13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bel Air, MD - June 12, 2009: The recent declaration by the World Health Organization to reclassify its worldwide H1N1 (swine) influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6 changes little that already is being done in the United States, Maryland or in Harford County. It does not mean that more people are getting seriously sick at higher rates, only that the virus continues to spread rapidly around the world.

Harford County Health Officer Susan Kelly says, We wish to reassure our public that we continue to work closely with other government agencies, local health care providers, community partners and business leaders to implement a coordinated flu pandemic response plan and that the announcement by WHO of the most recent pandemic alert level does not necessitate any change to our ongoing H1N1 flu response. Nationally, statewide and locally our monitoring, surveillance and treatment have been at the highest possible level since this became a serious public health concern in April. The WHO declaration neither increases nor lessens the health risk posed by this novel flu virus. However, this declaration does remind the world that flu viruses like H1N1 need to be taken seriously and that we must remain vigilant about prevention and precaution.

Although the virus is entirely new, is contagious and spreads easily from one person to another, what has been observed thus far is comparable to a seasonal flu. While we will likely see many more cases of H1N1 flu as the summer progresses, currently, all individuals with confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in Maryland have either recovered or are recovering well at this time and most have required no medical treatment.

State of Maryland DHMH Secretary of Health, John Colmers, Nothing we have seen of this illness has been unexpected or surprising. In Maryland and across the country we have treated H1N1 flu as if it were the pandemic it has become. We have extended our flu-watch season and expanded our monitoring and surveillance capabilities to stay ahead of whatever develops. In a written statement to all DHMH employees, Secretary Colmers continues, We responded to the H1N1 outbreak from the outset with the presumption that a pandemic was likely, so this decision comes as no surprise. We acted aggressively to stay ahead of the virus as it spread across the country. Currently our greatest challenge is to prepare for a possible return in the fall.

Ms. Kelly concludes, Outreach and education have been critical tools thus far in limiting the spread of the influenza virus. Because we still anticipate more cases of H1N1 that are expected to prevail through the influenza season ahead, the most important message to our citizens is to continue to use common sense and to employ all practical means to minimize their risk of exposure to illness.

The public is reminded to:

• 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, since germs spread that way.
• Stay away from crowded living and sleeping spaces, if possible.
• Stay home if you are sick and avoid contact with other people to protect them from catching your illness.

######