CGA Alert is a publication of the California Grocers Association
April 28, 2009

SWINE FLU UPDATE

The human swine flu outbreak continues to evolve rapidly in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional cases of confirmed swine influenza and a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients. Internationally, the situation is more serious too, with additional countries reporting confirmed cases of swine flu.

According to national and local health authorities, due to the widespread nature of the virus, containment at this point in not feasible. Efforts are to be focused on mitigation measures.



ANTI-VIRAL USE AND INFECTION CONTROL

The CDC has posted recommendations on anti-viral use, safety, infection control and non-pharmacological community mitigation strategies on their website. They will be issuing interim recommendations as the situation evolves. Go to www.cdc.gov/swineflu for more information.

If you have been considering utilizing anti-viral medications as part of your pandemic response, it is recommended that you pursue that course of action now. The process of obtaining antiviral medications requires a medical screening exam, employee education and a prescription for each employee.


GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a State of Emergency that will expedite state agency responses to the outbreak. The proclamation is simply one more step in the effort to aggressively combat the outbreak and is not an indication that it has become more severe in California.


SENATE HEARING ON SWINE FLU

CGA will attend a Senate hearing on Thursday where the Health and Select Committee on Disaster and Emergency Response will discuss the current swine flu outbreak.


CALIFORNIA FIRST STATE TO CONDUCT CONFIRMATORY TESTING

California became the first state in the nation to do its own confirmatory testing for this strain of swine flu without having to send samples to the CDC which will greatly speed up detection efforts in California.


EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ACTIVATIONS IN CALIFORNIA

The California Emergency Management Agency (formerly Governor's Office of Emergency Operations-OES) has activated the State Operations Center (SOC). CalEMA has also activated the Southern and Inland Regional Emergency Operations Centers. CGA has an operations office at the SOC has been put on alert for the potential to report.

Local Operational Area Emergency Operations Center activations include: Imperial County, Mercend County, El Dorado County, Placer County.

Public Health Department Operations Center (DOC) activations include:

  • Southern Region: 7 total- Imperial, San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties Public Health Departments and City of Pasadena Public Health Department. - (3 more will be activated.)
  • Coastal Region: 11 total- Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Mateo and Solano Counties Public Health Departments. - (2 more will be activated.)
  • Inland Region: 9 total- Amador, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter and Tuolumne Counties Public Health Departments. - (8 more will be activated.)
CGA has reached out to all 62 local health departments and key state agencies to establish contact.



VETERINARARY SURVEILLANCE

The veterinary surveillance program has reported that there has been no detection of H1N1 in swine in California or the United States.



MEXICO CITY VENUE CLOSINGS - INCLUDING RESTAURANT RESTRICTIONS

About 35,000 public venues in Mexico City were shut down or restricted Tuesday as officials tried to contain the deadly swine flu outbreak. Authorities ordered restaurants to serve only takeout food and mandated the closing of bars, clubs, theaters, pool halls, gyms, sport centers and convention halls until May 6. Schools are closed nationwide and Mexico City officials have asked the federal government to shut down public transportation to help stop the spread of the disease.



CGA CONTACT INFORMATION

CGA is monitoring the situation and will provide daily updates. If you have questions, email Jill Rulon, CGA or call (916) 448-3545.