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2009 H1N1 Influenza A > Resources Resources

Schools

This section contains resources for Indiana schools to use to help prevent the spread of the novel H1N1 influenza and the seasonal flu. 

For now, we urge you to stay informed, promote good basic hygiene practices, and encourage students and staff to stay home from school if they begin developing flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough).

  • IN Dept. of Ed - Prevention and Management of H1N1 Influenza in Schools (view)
  • H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents (view)
  • State Health Commissioner letter to schools (view)
  • "Preparing for the Flu" (CDC Communication Toolkit) (view)
  • Other CDC Resources (view)
  • Template for School Letter to Parents/Guardians (view)
  • CDC Guidance for Fall Flu Season (view)

Influenza (Flu) Surveillance Summary (view)

Parents & Childcare Providers

  • H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents (view)
  • "Preparing for the Flu" (CDC Communication Toolkit) (view)
  • Other CDC Resources (view)

Public Safety

  • FAQ Regarding the Novel H1N1 Influenza PPE for EMS (view)
  • Interim Guidance for Public Safety Personnel (view)
  • Pre-hospital guidance for H1N1 flu virus (Marion County) (view)

  • The virus is sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir and guidance for the use of those drugs in ill individuals (view)
  • Infection control for care of patients confirmed or suspected of having an infection with Swine Influenza A (H1N1) in health care settings (view)
  • Interim guidance on the use of facemask in community settings (view)
  • Guidance for Clinicians & Public Health Professionals (view)
  • ISDH Lab Submission Form (view)

Animal Health

INDIANAPOLIS (2 Nov. 2009) — Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM, today issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s laboratory confirmation of the novel H1N1 virus in an Indiana swine herd.

“We need to remember that identifying a flu virus in a swine herd is not uncommon. Like humans, hogs are susceptible to many strains of flu."

The animals on the positive farm have already recovered from the illness. The herd is under the care of a private veterinary practitioner, who will verify all animals are healthy before being moved from the site. Under a herd health monitoring agreement, a quarantine is not necessary.

People cannot contract H1N1 from consuming pork or pork products. The U.S. meat inspection system provides an additional safeguard by inspecting all animals presented for slaughter twice:  once before and once after slaughter. Sick animals are rejected from the food chain.

The herd owner has indicated that workers who had contact with the animals had a history of influenza-like illness in the days preceding the herd’s diagnosis. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the novel pandemic strain of H1N1. The herd owner followed a policy of sending ill workers home to avoid human and animal contact. State public health officials have been notified.

"We commend the efforts of the herd owner, who made every effort to follow established guidelines for handling this situation, including minimizing human contact and reporting clinical signs to his herd veterinarian.”

Information about the H1N1 virus, food safety and biosecurity information for pork producers is available online at:  http://www.boah.in.gov/.

  • Swine Flu Fact Sheet (view) 
  • CDC Guidance for Workers at Commercial Swine Farms (view)
  • Guidelines for Pork Producers (view)
  • Biosecurity for Producers (view)
  • Q & A on Pets and H1N1 (view)

Food Safety

Q: Do any swine have the virus that has infected humans?
A: The 2009 novel strain of H1N1 has been identified in a handful of sites across the nation, including a location in Indiana in November 2009. The Indiana positives were identified after clinical signs surfaced in the hogs following influenza-like illness in some of the barn workers. People-to-pig transmission is possible, and a possibility within this herd’s history.

Q: Can I get this new strain of virus from eating pork or pork products?
A: According to USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no.  Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.  Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills all viruses.

The USDA suggests, as it has in the past, cooking pork and pork products to the proper internal temperature and preventing cross-contamination between raw and cooked food is the key to safety. You should:

  • Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw pork;
  • Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw pork away from other foods;
  • After cutting raw meat, wash cutting board, knife, and countertops with hot, soapy water;
  • Sanitize cutting boards by using a solution of 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water; and
  • Use a good thermometer to ensure pork has reached the safe internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill foodborne germs that might be present.

Q: Can I get this flu by touching pork that is not yet cooked?
A: There is no evidence at this time that the virus is in swine or that touching uncooked pork could infect someone with the virus.

Q: How will the public be notified if the government finds that people should not eat pork?
A: Delivering factual, timely information is a priority for USDA.  Should there be a detection of influenza in a U.S. swine herd, those results would be shared with the public in a timely manner.

Q: Is USDA testing and monitoring to make sure swine are not infected with the virus and if so, how?
A: A network of Federal veterinarians, state animal health officials and private practitioners are regularly involved with monitoring U.S. swine for signs of significant disease.

The 2009 novel H1N1 virus has been identified in a handful of swine herds in the United States. Like humans, hogs are susceptible to many strains of flu, and the diagnosis of influenza is not uncommon. The animals tend to recover within a matter of days and do not present a risk to the food supply. Because this is not a reportable disease, herds infected with influenza are not officially quarantined by the USDA or the state.

As a proactive measure, USDA is reaching out to all state animal health officials to affirm they have no signs of this virus type in their state.

USDA has put U.S. pork producers on high alert for safety.

Flu Shot Locator on Google

Google Flu Shot LocatorIf you are interested in a 2009 H1N1 Influenza A vaccination, click the Google Flu Shot Locator logo on the left to search for a vaccine clinic. As always, check with your local health department or call the phone number listed to verify the clinic has not run out of doses before you make travel arrangements.