Flu up slightly on US campuses
The American College Health Association (ACHA) reports that the incidence of flu-like illnesses on member campuses last week was 19.2 per 10,000 students, an increase of about 2% from the 18.9 per 10,000 the week before. The report listed 5,959 new cases at 238 schools. By region, the most new cases were reported in the middle Atlantic states and the Southeast.
http://www.acha.org/ILI_LatestWeek.cfm/?date=101509
Oct 15 ACHA surveillance report
Hospital uses triage tents for flood of patients
Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield, Calif., has set up tents in its doctors' parking lot to triage and treat a flood of patients seeking treatment for cough and fever, the Bakersfield Californian reported yesterday. A hospital spokeswoman said between 210 and 230 patients have been coming to the emergency room daily, breaking the record of 207 set in May. She said the tents keep sick people away from other patients and relieve crowding in the emergency room.
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x1675932698/Swine-flu-claims-sixth-life-hospital-sets-up-triage-tents
Oct 14 Bakersfield Californian story
Ill county workers who stay on job could be fired
Pima County officials in Tucson, Ariz., have decided that county employees who refuse to go home when they have flu-like symptoms can be disciplined or even fired, the Arizona Daily Star reported. Under the new policy, any worker with a fever of 100.4°F or higher and one other symptom is required to stay home until the fever has been gone for at least a day. The county dropped a previous rule that employees who miss 3 days in a row had to bring in a doctor's note.
Massachusetts prioritizes high-risk prisoners for vaccine
Health officials in Massachusetts have added prisoners with underlying conditions as a priority group to receive the pandemic H1N1 vaccine, the Associated Press (AP) reported today. A spokeswoman said that vaccine doses will go to correctional facilities the second week of November. Though inmates with high-risk conditions and facility healthcare workers will be immunized then, the general prison population won't receive them until after the general public is offered the vaccine.
http://www.masslive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-71/1255605988305140.xml&storylist=massnews
Oct 15 AP story
Kentucky district targets college students for vaccine
College students in western Kentucky will receive the area's first doses of pandemic H1N1 vaccine, the AP reported today. The seven-county Green River District Health Department, based in Frankfort, told the local press that the vaccine will be available next week and that college students are at the top of the list because they have had high hospitalization rates from the flu and live in close-contact dormitory settings.
http://www.wbko.com/home/headlines/64346837.html
Oct 15 AP article
China plans vaccine for hajj pilgrims
China will administer pandemic H1N1 vaccine to 12,700 Muslims who will travel to the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported today. Pilgrims will also receive free medication, disposable masks, and advice on flu prevention, Xinhua, China's state news agency, reported. The hajj is held around the end of November and draws about 3 million worshippers.
