The H1N1 Virus

What is novel H1N1 (swine flu)?
Novel H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Why is novel H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?
This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Resources

Google Flu Shot Finder

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Metro Area County Health Departments

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Botsfortd Hospital: January 30, 2010

Botsford Hospital is reaching out to the community to share its supply of H1N1 vaccine. Free vaccines for both adult and children are available and are being given at an event held at Botsford Hospital's main campus at 28050 Grand River Ave. in Farmington Hills on Saturday, January 30, from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event will take place in the hospital's Community Room in the Zieger Building. This building is located across from the Emergency Center walk-in entrance. Parking is available at the Zieger Building.

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Basic Facts:

DMC H1N1 Flu Information Center

A major information portal provided by the Detroit Medical Center.

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Evidence-Based Influenza Information Portal

Due to Pandemic H1N1 Influenza (formerly known as Swine Flu) and concerns about the 2009/2010 flu season, the EBSCO Publishing Medical and Nursing editors of DynaMed™, Nursing Reference Center™ (NRC) and Patient Education Reference Center™ (PERC) have made key influenza information from these resources freely available to health care providers worldwide. The information is designed to inform patients and their families and provide information to clinicians to help them with H1N1 diagnosis and H1N1 treatment by making up-to-date diagnosis and treatment information available. The resources being made available will also provide up-to-date information about the H1N1 vaccine.

The editorial teams will monitor the research and update these resources continuously throughout the flu season.

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2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu Virus (FDA)

This page compiles news, advisories, and fact sheets for consumers and health professionals about 2009 H1N1 flu (swine flu) virus. It includes a fraud alert about websites claiming to sell prevention and treatment products, information about antiviral drugs and influenza medications, and updates about U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) involvement with and response to the H1N1 flu virus threat. Also includes information about personal protective equipment (such as face masks). From the FDA.

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Centers for Disease Control(CDC)

• H1N1 Flu—General Information
• CDC Latest Updates
• Flu.gov

Material about this “respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza. ... In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas,” and have been reported in other states and internationally. The CDC is a primary source for information and current situation reports. These sites provide background, fact sheet,s guidance, and reports on U.S. human cases of swine flu.

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MedlinePlus H1N1 Flu

A compilation of the National Library of Medicine's links to publications and web sites about swine flu, which is "named for a virus that pigs can get. Includes links to fact sheets, news, travel advisories, clinical trials, and other resources from government and health agencies. From the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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2009 Prevent Influenza Now

This site provides material about the flu, vaccines, other measures for preventing influenza, and information about the disease and its consequences. Includes sections for health care professionals and the public. Also includes a link to a flu clinic locator. Sponsored by the National Influenza Vaccine Summit, which is co-sponsored by the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Breaking News:

Agencies seek extent of H1N1 vaccine recall

Michigan health officials are trying to determine how many H1N1 vaccinations intended for small children in Michigan might be subject to a recall after the vaccines lost potency.

Health officials said children who were vaccinated with any of the 800,000 vaccines do not need to be revaccinated for that dose, because they met specifications at the time of shipment and most likely were used before their potency dropped below specifications.

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