OEM ADVISORY UPDATE: April 28, 2009

Current EOC Operational Status: Level 3 – Monitoring. Update: Swine Flu
The Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor.

State of Florida

State Emergency Response Team

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

MESSAGE OF THE DAY – TO DATE THERE ARE NO CONFIRMED CASES OF THE SWINE FLU IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS READY TO RESPOND TO SWINE FLU AND URGES ALL RESIDENTS TO FOLLOW ANY PREVENTATIVE MEASURES ISSUED BY LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS.

Current Threat

While no cases have been identified in Florida at this time, cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the U.S., according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are an undetermined number of cases in Mexico reaching into the hundreds.

State Actions

Florida has prepared for influenza events:

The State EOC is monitoring the situation and conducting coordination calls with Team partners on the local, state and federal levels.
All state laboratories have the facilities to safely identify influenza samples.
The state has almost 100 sentinel physicians – local doctors in communities across the state who report any unusual influenza like activity to DOH and the CDC.
The State has the ability to monitor the sale of over the counter drugs, as an early warning sign for increased influenza activity.
Florida is receiving frequent updates from the CDC, and is working with local health departments to monitor the situation and immediately follow up on any suspected cases.

Public Actions – from the Florida Department of Health

People with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.
Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
People experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.
If you think you have influenza, please call your health care provider and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office or emergency department or stay home.

Other Notes

Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food and a person cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products. The infections appear to spread from person to person. Under a doctor's supervision, drugs called antivirals can reduce the consequences of contracting the flu, if taken early.

The CDC has created a Webpage with information at www.cdc.gov/swineflu

BE SMART, BE SAFE, BE A SURVIVOR! Go to www.FloridaDisaster.org today to create a personal or family disaster plan.

All students, teachers and parents can find educational information and free downloadable materials at: www.KidsGetAPlan.com.

For the latest daily situation and flash reports go to: www.YouTube.com/FloridaSERT

Manuel D. Soto, CEM
Emergency Manager
City of Orlando
Orlando Operations Center
PO Box 2846
Orlando, Florida 32803

(321)235-5438

"Emergency Management is a Team Effort."

Florida has a very broad records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by the City of Orlando officials and employees will be made available to the public and media, upon their request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, email address are public records. If you do not want an email address released in response to a public record request, do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead contact our office by phone or in writing.