Overview
Información en español sobre la gripe H1N1
NCLR (National Council of La Raza) and the Office of Minority Health (OMH) have partnered to help educate Latinos and others about precautions they can take to minimize the spread of the H1N1 flu.
Latest from NCLR
Surveillance over the past several months suggests that as far as is known, H1N1 is a highly contagious but not particularly deadly strain of flu. It can still cause severe illness and inconvenience, however, so we are urged to do all we can to prevent becoming infected and spreading the virus. This includes getting vaccinated, practicing good cough and sneeze etiquette, avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth after coming into contact with others, washing hands and using hand sanitizer frequently, and staying home when ill to prevent spreading the virus. Below are a variety of resources and topics with more information on how to deal with 2009 H1N1 and keep our families and communities safe and healthy.
Department of Health and Human Services Partners with NCLR to Hold an H1N1 Town Hall in Washington, DC New
On Wednesday, November 18, officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) came together with representatives from NCLR and Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health to hold a special town hall meeting to reach out to the Latino community with information on the safety and availability of the H1N1 vaccine. The event, organized by NCLR’s Institute for Hispanic Health (IHH), was held at Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health in Washington, DC, where community members had a chance to get advice and ask questions of top government officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as well as Maria Gomez, President and CEO of Mary’s Center. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR, opened the program. The event was well attended by Latino families and clients of Mary’s Center along with guests from HHS and NCLR, and it was covered by a variety of Spanish-language media outlets, including Telemundo and Univision news networks, Washington Hispanic, and others.
The top points that officials wanted to leave with Hispanic families and individuals about the H1N1 vaccine are that it is:
- Safe
- Free
- The best defense against contracting the virus
- Available to everyone—citizenship documents are not required to receive the vaccine
Those who have already been ill with H1N1 should still be vaccinated against the possibility of contracting the virus a second time. Priority groups to receive the vaccine, including pregnant women, young children, and those who care for infants, are still in place in many areas, but Secretary Sebelius assured audience members that more vaccine is being sent out each week and soon there will be enough for everyone. In the meantime, the best defense remains to wash hands, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and stay home from work and school when sick. For the latest flu news as well as helpful resources such as a Flu Vaccine Locator, visit www.flu.gov in English or in Spanish.
World Health Organization Declares H1N1 Flu a Pandemic
On Thursday, June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an official H1N1 pandemic, elevating its influenza pandemic alert system to the highest level, Phase 6. This means that the virus is causing sustained community-level outbreaks in countries in two or more WHO world regions. The pandemic phase system refers only to the extent of circulation of a flu virus and not to its severity; in other words, infection with the H1N1 flu strain is more widespread though not necessarily more dangerous. Therefore, despite the declaration of a worldwide pandemic, officials have stated that there will be no change in their current response efforts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local governments will continue to focus on good hygiene and social distancing when necessary to prevent person-to-person transmission; treatment with antiviral medication for those with an increased health risk; and development of a vaccine to be available if needed. Meanwhile they will continue to monitor the flu’s movements, staying alert for any mutations or changes in behavior which might require an adjustment in our response approach.
Read the statement by Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, announcing the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic, and short statements by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano responding to the WHO declaration.
H1N1 Vaccine Information
As of October 7, 2009, doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine have begun to be delivered throughout the country. Priority groups to receive the first doses include:
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or care for infants younger than six months of age
- Health care and emergency medical personnel
- Anyone from six months through 24 years of age
- Anyone from 25 through 64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system
After these priority groups receive the vaccine, everyone else who wants to can get vaccinated.
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available both as a shot and as a nasal spray. The spray is not suitable for certain groups such as pregnant women, children younger than two, adults 50 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems.
The vaccine is free and available to all. Health officials are recommending that everyone be vaccinated as a way to prevent infection and the spread of illness.
For more information, visit the vaccination page at flu.gov.
Drexel University: National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities
This site lists H1N1-related materials and links from an array of sources. The Center serves as a central clearinghouse of resources and information to facilitate communication and collaboration on emergencies and improve preparedness for culturally diverse communities. NCLR has been a participant in a number of expert panels that the Center has convened. Currently, the main page of the Center’s website is devoted to the H1N1 flu and features individual education and preparedness materials translated into a number of languages, recent news and notices, and links to other listings of resources. Visit www.diversitypreparedness.org to browse their listings.
H1N1 and Stigma
Social stigmatization and scapegoating are woefully harmful responses to a pandemic. The following articles explain how assigning blame for a disease to a certain group of people, as with the H1N1 virus, not only ignores established science about the origin and risk associated with the disease, but can also make it harder to control. Misconceptions about origin and a failure to adequately deal with the reality of a disease put everyone in greater jeopardy. The articles provide concrete steps that political and health leaders, response officials, and communication professionals can take to prevent stigmatization against Spanish-speaking people—or any group—during an outbreak.
- Stigma: Its Harm and Its Remedy in Outbreaks Like Swine Flu
Monica Schoch-Spana, Ph.D. and Ann Norwood, M.D., Center for Biosecurity, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, April 29, 2009.
- Social Stigma Attached to “Swine Flu”—An FAQ for U.S. Elected Leaders and Health Officials
Monica Schoch-Spana, Ph.D. et al., Center for Biosecurity, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, April 30, 2009.
- CDC Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Best Practices: Stigmatization
Barbara Reynolds, Ph.D., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Statement issued by Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights on the protection of civil rights in the national response to H1N1 influenza
The Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights issued a statement on May 7, 2009 addressing the protection of civil rights in the national response to H1N1 influenza. The statement outlines three federal statutes to be implemented during the outbreak in order to safeguard civil rights, address harassment or discrimination, and ensure equal access to information and health services. The statement also contains links to the Federal Interagency Working Group on Limited English Proficiency and is available at http://www.usdoj.gov.
White House first-ever Spanish-language town hall meeting to address the Hispanic community’s concerns about the H1N1 flu virus
On Friday, May 8, 2009, the White House held its first-ever Spanish-language town hall meeting to address the Hispanic community’s concerns about the H1N1 flu virus and to communicate steps that the administration has taken to control the outbreak. The event was hosted by Univision and featured U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Special Assistant to the President for Justice and Regulatory Policy. An audience made up of school officials, nurses and health care workers, community and civic leaders, media representatives, and concerned members of the public asked questions ranging from the general nature of the virus, to school policy and vaccinations, immigration status and access to medical attention, discrimination, and other topics. The event was a great opportunity for Latino community members to have their questions answered and obtain accurate information straight from the administration and the institutions shaping our nation’s response to the outbreak. Click here for the full video and transcript in Spanish.
Related News Releases
Guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update on H1N1 precautions on May 5, 2009. The CDC no longer recommends the closure of schools or facilities, even when suspected flu cases occur, although state officials retain discretion to take the steps they believe are necessary. Click here for the new recommendations regarding schools and facilities.
CDC Updates Recommendations for the Amount of Time Persons with Influenza-Like Illness should be Away from Others
On August 5, 2009, CDC changed its recommendation related to the amount of time people with influenza-like illness should stay away from others (the exclusion period). New guidance indicates that people with influenza-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). A fever is defined as having a temperature of 100° Fahrenheit or 37.8° Celsius or greater.
This is a change from the previous recommendation that ill persons stay home for 7 days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever was longer.
The new recommendation applies to camps, schools, businesses, mass gatherings, and other community settings where the majority of people are not at increased risk for influenza complications. CDC recommends this exclusion period regardless of whether or not antiviral medications are used. This guidance does not apply to health care settings where the exclusion period continues to be for 7 days from symptom onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer.
Decisions about extending the exclusion period should be made at the community level, in conjunction with local and state health officials. More stringent guidelines and longer periods of exclusion – for example, until complete resolution of all symptoms – may be considered for people returning to a setting where high numbers of high-risk people may be exposed.
To read the complete revised guidance see: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm
Novel H1N1 Flu and Camp
The CDC has posted updated guidance for parents on H1N1 and summer camps. Click to view.
CDC Travel Health Warning for H1N1 Flu in Mexico Downgraded to Precaution
The CDC has downgraded its Travel Health Warning recommendation against all nonessential travel to Mexico, to a Travel Health Precaution directed toward travelers at high risk for complications from any form of influenza. All travelers visiting Mexico should, however, continue to take steps to protect themselves from becoming infected with H1N1 flu. Read the full CDC update here.
In addition, the CDC would like to share a Health Alert poster about illness vigilance when planning travel. Those who have influenza-like symptoms are requested not to travel and risk increasing the spread of the virus. Click here to see the poster in English.
What Pregnant and Lactating Women Should Know about H1N1 Virus
Pregnant women who get the flu are at an increased risk of suffering complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, and preterm labor. For this reason the CDC recommends that pregnant women who contract even a probable case of the H1N1 virus be treated immediately with antiviral medication, stating that the benefits outweigh the possible risks of treatment. They also recommend that lactating mothers continue breastfeeding even if they or their babies become sick. More information for lactating mothers is available at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/breastfeeding.
Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers
The CDC offers a page of information for parents and caregivers to help them better protect their children from exposure to the virus, recognize the symptoms of H1N1 flu in children, care for a child who becomes sick, and understand warning signs that would require emergency medical care. This information is available at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents.
Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home
Keeping a healthy home environment is essential to limiting the spread of the virus when caring for a sick person. The CDC offers guidance on proper care of a sick person as well as on protecting oneself and others in the home who are not sick. For information on how the flu spreads, medications that help lessen flu symptoms, how to contain the spread of flu in the home, using facemasks or respirators, and considerations for household cleaning, laundry, and waste disposal, go to www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance.
Antiviral Drugs – TAMIFLU® and RELENZA®
Officials recommend that those with underlying health problems who become infected with flu or who become severely ill should get prompt medical attention and treatment with antiviral drugs (Oseltamivir/TAMIFLU® or Zanamivir/RELENZA®). However, most people—the mild to moderately ill and those without underlying health conditions—should be able to recover at home without treatment.
Those considered priority groups for receiving antiviral treatment are:
- People with more severe forms of the illness, such as those hospitalized with suspected or confirmed influenza
- People with suspected or confirmed influenza who are at higher risk for complications:
- Children younger than two years old
- Adults 65 years and older
- Pregnant women
- People with certain chronic medical or immunosuppressive conditions
- People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
Health officials are urging that healthy people who become mildly to moderately ill stay at home to recover, thus keeping the drugs available to those who need them most and preventing doctors and hospitals from being overwhelmed with mild cases. There is also a risk of the virus developing a resistance to the drugs if they are overused.
By contrast, the vaccine is available to all and there is no risk of developing a resistance, so health officials recommend this as the first and most important step in combating the flu.
For more information, visit the CDC’s information page on antiviral drug recommendations for the 2009-2010 flu season.
Resources from Mexico's Secretaría de Salud
The Mexican government has provided a series of illustrated flyers that may be helpful in educating low-literacy populations on basic ways to prevent flu transmission, such as correct sneezing and hand-washing procedures.
Additional Spanish-language flu information is available on the Secretaría de Salud’s website.
Multimedia
The following Spanish-language public service announcements and video podcasts have been made available by the CDC to help communicate H1N1 background information and prevention techniques to the public.
Audio PSAs
Videos
For more information or if you have questions please contact FluUpdate@nclr.org.
In partnership with the Office of Minority Health and the US Department of Health and Human Services
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