August 26, 2009

VDH expands call center to handle H1N1 inquiries

The Virginia Department of Health is expanding its call center to handle questions that Virginians may have about the H1N1 virus as public schools begin to open.

The H1N1 virus has differed from the seasonal flu by affecting higher numbers of school children and young adults. Parents and faculty should know that anyone with H1N1 symptoms should stay at home until they have been without a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat or fatigue. Families also should have an emergency care plan in case a child is sent home from school due to illness while parents are at work.

The toll-free number, 1-877-275-8343, will be answered during state business hours. Visitors to www.vdh.virginia.gov will find more information about the H1N1 virus in Virginia and an e-mail option to ask questions.

CDC issues guidance
Also, the Centers for Disease Control has issued guidance to help organizations start planning and acting now for the impacts of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus.

• Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education, a social media toolkit for administrators and students, and the Technical Report on CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers for the Fall Flu Season and a communications toolkit

The new CDC guidance and more information about preparing for flu season are available at http://www.flu.gov.

Pandemic Influenza Non-Medical Plan Template for Local Governments
 
In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health, VDEM’s Local Planning Assistance has developed a new, non-medical plan template for local governments to help them plan for the impacts of pandemic flu in their local Emergency Operations Plan. This template can assist localities with the planning process, which should include all stakeholders within the community; localities should review and modify all items to fit their specific needs. It suggests an overall format and examples of items that may or may not be applicable to a community.

The plan template is available online at http://www.vaemergency.com/library/plans/local_eop.cfm. For more information, contact Eileen Tarr at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6529 or eileen.tarr@vdem.virginia.gov or Patrick Holland at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6546 or patrick.holland@vdem.virginia.gov.

LPA also offers technical assistance to any institution of higher education or locality revising its plan. LPA staff will attend planning meetings and review existing EOPs and revised drafts, partial drafts and plan sections at any point. LPA recommends that final drafts be submitted for review before formal adoption. A review of the final draft could prevent a situation that may require further revisions and an additional adoption by the governing board.