By Crystal Swann
October 26, 2009

The nation's mayors and local health officials continue to mobilize their efforts, including expanded education and vaccination programs, to respond to the accelurating pace of illness due to the H1N1 virus. First detected in people in the United States in April 2009, H1N1 has been spreading since 2008 from person-to-person contact worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. To date, more than 5,000 cases of H1N1 flu have been reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 800 people have died from the virus, including 86 children.

The World Health Organization signaled on June 11 that a pandemic of H1N1 flu was underway. With no signs of the virus slowing down, the strain continues to hit children and teens in larger numbers than any other group, and the answer to “why” has so far eluded researchers.

While some cities are expecting slight delays in the delivery of the H1N1 vaccine, mayors are nevertheless pushing forward in preparing for this public health threat. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino has already outlined the city’s vaccination plans once supplies are available. Of the roughly 270,000 doses shipped to Massachusetts, about 27,000 doses have been distributed to health care providers in Boston for high-risk populations.

Gainesville (FL) Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan has worked diligently to raise awareness of the county’s FluMist program now under way in county schools, and promotes the need for vaccination against the H1N1 virus. In Kansas City, facilities distributing the vaccine are reporting hundreds of people lining up three hours early to receive an H1N1 vaccination for their children.

Administration officials from the White House and the Departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security as well as the CDC regularly brief mayors and other local officials on the latest preparedness and treatment measures for H1N1 outbreak. The sessions provide mayors and local officials with the opportunity to ask questions regarding the availability of H1N1 vaccines as well as the ongoing monitoring of the seasonal flu vaccine supply.

Symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea. People infected with H1N1 may also have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and deaths have occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

The high-risk populations that should be vaccinated against H1N1 include pregnant women; caregivers of children under six months of age; healthcare workers; all people from six months through 24 years of age; and persons aged 25 through 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

It should be noted that the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine are separate vaccinations. The seasonal vaccine does not protect against H1N1 so high-risk individuals are encouraged to get both vaccinations.

For more information on the H1N1 virus and vaccine supply status, visit the website www.cdc.gov and www.flu.gov.