‘National emergency’ for H1N1 no cause for alarm, experts say
By Mary Brophy Marcus, USA TODAY
(http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-10-25-obama-swine-flu-emergency_N.htm)
Summary: Over the weekend President Obama declared the H1N1 flu outbreak a national emergency. He decided this because of Friday’s report that the swine flu is still on the rise in many schools causing them to temporarily close. A total of 351 school closings in 19 states were reported by the Department of Education on Friday. However, this decision should not alarm the public experts in infectious disease and emergency medicine say. “It’s really more a continuation of our preparedness steps,” Anne Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease told USA Today on Sunday. This will allow more help with flexibility in case hospitals see a greater climb in flu cases. Both Hanfling and Brennan say their emergency rooms have in the last two weeks. Overall, health care facilities will be able to set up alternate care sites if needed because the proclamation allows the government to grant waivers, according to White House documents.
Session 18: Blog
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