Swine Flu Declared National Emergency
President Barack Obama recently declared the outbreak of H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, a national emergency as the disease has spread to more than 46 states, according to the Associated Press.
The declaration gives Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the power to allow hospitals to move emergency rooms offsite to speed up treatment of other cases and protect non-infected patients, the Associated Press says.
The swine flu outbreak also has significant implications for biomeds. Departments should look to their hospital administrators, epidemiologists, and infection control practitioners for guidance on how to protect themselves and patients. For more information on how biomeds should prepare for the flu outbreak, click here.
For the latest information on the outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.