Stare oF New YORK EXECUTIVE CHAMBER ‘Aupany 12224 Davin A. PATERSON VaLenie GREY GOVERNOR Dinecton oF State OPERATIONS MEMORANDUM TO: Heads of State Agencies and Public Authorities FROM: Valerie Grey, Director of State operations ly SUBJECT: 2009-2010 Influenza Season DATE: October 5, 2009 ‘As we approach what promises to be a very busy fall flu season, Governor Paterson has directed the State Department of Health (DOH) to coordinate the State’s response to the outbreak of HINI influenza and the expected occurrence of seasonal influenza. | am writing to provide information and resources for State agencies to use to educate your employees and to understand the appropriate precautions to protect yourself, your employees and the people you serve from getting the flu DOH expects that throughout this fall and winter, HIN1 flu will likely reach or possibly exceed levels seen last spring, We now know that the vast majority of individuals with HINI are likely to have mild to moderate symptoms similar to ordinary seasonal influenza. Seasonal influenza will also start to circulate as we move into the typical winter flu season. Most New Yorkers with cither HIN] or seasonal influenza will recover without needing anti-viral treatment or hospitalization; However, there are some individuals who may be at increased risk of complications from HIN1 and seasonal influenza, H1N1 circulates widely in children and young adults and is more likely to cause complications in very young children, pregnant women ‘and children and younger adults with underlying chronic medical conditions. While seasonal influenza has the greatest impact among the elderly, HINI has not been as prevalent in this population. Absenteeism due to illness in employees or in their family members is anticipated at levels similar to, or possibly exceeding, a moderate flu scason. Govemor Paterson has directed DOH to continue to closely monitor the outbreak and provide information and guidance to the public and State agencies (see enclosed list of web-based resources). To assist DOH, please compiete the contact information survey form posted at hhttp://tinyurl.com/PlanningSurvey.For the best protection, get vaccinated Influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza. Since itis likely that both HINI and seasonal influenza will circulate this year, State employees should be encouraged to get the seasonal influenza vaccine now. Over the next month, seasonal influenza vaccine will be available at health care providers across the State. A flu vaccine locator is available on the DOH web site, HINI vaccine is expected to become available in limited supply early this month and in substantial supply by the end of October. Initial HINI vaccine will first go to people in certain priority groups, including pregnant women, people who live with or eare for children less than 6 months of age, health care workers, emergency medical responders, all children ages 6 months to 24 years and people 25-64 years old who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems’. When these groups have had an opportunity to access vaccine, probably later this Fall, vaccination efforts will expand to include healthy people 25 years and older. Again, State employees who fall into the priority groups should get vaccinated for HiN1 when it becomes available. DOH will work with State agencies that employ health care workers to make HINI vaccine available to them, New York State agencies interested in setting up a flu clinic for employees should contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations for assistance at (518) 474-4800. Watch for flu symptoms State employees should be educated about flu symptoms, which include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. With HIN1 flu, there is sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Employees with these symptoms are advised (o stay home and limit contact with others until at least 24 hours after fever has resolved without the use of medicine to reduce fever. Most people can recover from flu at home with no need for medical treatment. However, employees with underlying medical conditions should be advised to contact their doctor if they start to develop symptoms. Don’t spread flu to others The best way to prevent additional cases of flu is for people with symptoms to not come to work and stay home. DOH guidelines state that symptomatic individuals should not retum to work for at least 24 hours after they are fever-free without medications. Employees should be educated to take these everyday steps to prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of getting or spreading the flu: + Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze into your sleeve —not your hands. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. + Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Aleohol-based gel hand cleaners are also good to use if you are not near a sink. ‘+ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. + Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Stay at least six feet away from someone who is coughing or sneezing. * Medical conditions that confer a higher risk for influenza-related complications include: chronic lung disease, such as asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; heart discase; kidney disease; liver ease, such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis; cognitive disorders; neurologic diseases, such as seizures or stroke; blood or metabolic disorders, such as diabetes or cancer; or a depressed immune system caused by, for example, medications or HIV. If you are uncertain if you have a condition warranting influenza vaccination, check with your doctor.Flu in the workplace DOH does not recommend routinely closing offices or cancelling events or public forums in offices where individuals with flu have been identified. If you have specific flu-telated concerns or circumstances at your agency, please contact DOH’s Health Emergency Preparedness Program at (518) 474-2893. Note that this resource is for use by heads of agencies or authorities or their immediate designees in regard to agency-specific issues. This is not meant to serve as a general information resource for employees; for that purpose, please use the DOH HINI Hotline (1-800-808-1987). New York City residents can call 311. Agency managers can also call the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-4800 with any questions regarding employment-related matters stemming from the influenza outbreak. While the outbreak has been mild to moderate and has not produced severe symptoms in most people, it remains important for each of us to take steps to protect our health and the health of those around us. By following the guidelines provided above and using the resources provided in the enclosed listing, State agencies can help protect our employees and the public. You may also visit www.ny.gov/governor, www.nyhealth.gov or www.flu.gov to lear more. I hope this information is helpful to you. We will continue to keep you informed of any information that will benefit the health of our employees, their families and those that we serve.