H1N1 2009-2010 Pandemic Flu Information
Return to Home Page

Tamiflu: Counterfeit Product Sold on Internet
Fraudulent product is dangerous to patients allergic to penicillin
Issue: FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals about a potentially harmful product represented as “Generic Tamiflu” sold over the Internet. FDA tests revealed that the fraudulent product does not contain Tamiflu’s active ingredient, oseltamivir, but cloxacillin, an ingredient in the same class of antibiotics as penicillin. Patients who are allergic to penicillin products are at risk of experiencing similar reactions from cloxacillin. This includes a sudden, potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, with symptoms that include difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the throat or tongue, hives, dizziness, loss of consciousness, or a rapid or weak pulse.
Background: The FDA bought the fraudulent “Generic Tamiflu” without a prescription from a website claiming to be an online drugstore that is no longer operational. The fraudulent version is likely to be found for sale on other websites, however. Legitimate internet pharmacies are licensed by the appropriate U.S. Board of Pharmacy and follow the applicable laws and regulations. Consumers can also be confident that the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Verified Internet Pharmacy Sites Seal, also known as VIPPS Seal, gives a seal of approval to pharmacy sites that apply and meet state licensure requirements. Legitimate pharmacies that carry the VIPPS seal are listed at www.vipps.info
Recommendation: The FDA advises anyone possessing or encountering any of these fraudulent Tamiflu drugs not to use them and to contact the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations by visiting the OCI website (http://www.fda.gov/OCI).
Consumers are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Phone: 1-800-332-1088
Mail: return the postage-paid FDA form 3500, which may be downloaded from the MedWatch "Download Forms" page, to address on the pre-addressed form
Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including a link to the FDA news release, at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm216183.htm

H1N1 Flu Virus Updates
April 5, 2010 — The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is reminding Ohioans that the H1N1 vaccine, which is the best defense against the flu, is still available across the state at pharmacies, local health departments, and doctor’s offices.
“To ensure that H1N1 activity remains low, I am urging Ohioans, who have not yet gotten their H1N1 vaccine, to do so,” said ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson M.D. “Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family from contracting the flu.”
H1N1 flu activity in Ohio has remained stable and low throughout 2010. H1N1 continues to circulate across the state at sporadic levels, which means a small number of laboratory confirmed influenza cases continue to be reported. Recently, states in the southeastern portion of the country have seen increased influenza activity.
ODH is also reminding parents and health care providers that children younger than 10 need two doses of H1N1 flu vaccine in order to achieve optimal protection against H1N1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the two doses of H1N1 vaccine be separated by 28 days to be effective.
Individuals seeking the free H1N1 vaccine should call Public Health Nursing at 419-774-4540 for appointments. Appointments will be made from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.


March 24, 2010 —The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting that influenza-like activity is relatively low with most flu continuing to be caused by the the 2009 H1N1. The CDC is remaining vigilant and warning against public complacency. Individual cases, including hospitilizations and deaths continue, and the best protection against the virus is through vaccination.
According to the World Health Organization, (as of March 14) influenza-like illnesses are reported in 213 countries/territories with at least 16,813 deaths reported. The most active areas is in parts of Southeast Asia and West Africa.
The World Health Organization has classified the H1N1 flu virus as a pandemic (prevalent over the whole world).
The Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department continues to monitor the situation with our local emergency response partners within the guidelines from the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

The local H1N1 hotline number is: 419-774-4542.

This is a newly emerging flu strain. Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including swine influenza viruses and are routinely used for seasonal flu. Antiviral drugs will be used mainly to treat those diagnosed with the flu virus, not to prevent the flu.
Symptoms of the H1N1virus closely resemble seasonal flu, such as sudden illness or fever, weakness, coughing, lack of appetite, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, or sore throat. H1N1 flu may also include vomitting and diarhea.
If you or members of your family have these symptoms stay at home but contact your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, call the Health Department Clinic at 419-774-4700 or Rapid Response at 419-526-8111.

Click Here for information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Click here for the latest update from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) on the cases of H1N1 in Ohio.
Click here for information about planning and prepardedness and FAQ (excellent section) from the Flu.gov
Click here for information and videos on H1N1 and Handwashing for the deaf and hearing imparied (from the CDC).

Tips for protection from flu and What you can do to stay healthy — Recommendations from the Health Department, ODH and CDC include:
• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy: *Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. *Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. *Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. *Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

DOWNLOADABLE PDFs --- Guidance on H1N1 Flu (these are large files):
H1N1 - Business Guidance (part 1)
H1N1 - Business Guidance (part 2)
H1N1 - Flu - How to Prevent It
H1N1 - If You Get Sick (part 1)
H1N1 - If You Get Sick (part 2)
H1N1 - Taking Care of Sick Persons (part1)
H1N1 - Taking Care of Sick Persons (part 2)

Other Resources:
Cleaning Products Effective Against Flu Virus
Handwashing poster for downloading in PDF format.
Cover Your Cough poster for downloading in PDF format.

RICHLAND COUNTY HAS FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF H1N1 FLU -- August 5, 2009, 4 p.m.
Richland County, Ohio – Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department officials reported this morning that the first case of Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Richland County has been confirmed. Despite the diagnosis, this individual is doing well and has recovered.

The Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department is continuing to monitor the situation with our local emergency response partners within the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The Ohio Department of health is doing limited testing of people with pandemic flu like symptoms. At this time, symptoms of this Influenza A H1N1 flu have been generally mild.

Symptoms of this Influenza A H1N1 (Swine) flu virus closely resemble seasonal flu, such as sudden onset of illness and one or more of the following: fever, weakness, coughing, lack of appetite, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, or sore throat.

If you or members of your family have these symptoms stay at home but contact your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, call the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department Clinic at 419-774-4700 or Rapid Response at 419-526-8111.

Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department Health Commissioner, Stan Saalman said, “Vaccine for the pandemic H1N1 (swine) flu is not yet available but is expected to become available in the fall of 2009. It will be important to you to get both the seasonal flu vaccination and the pandemic flu vaccination.” Seasonal flu clinics are being planned by the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department for the beginning of October and will be announced in the media in September 2009.

While the vaccine is not yet available antiviral medications are available with a prescription from your health care provider. Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that are routinely used for seasonal flu, as well. Antiviral drugs will be used mainly to treat those diagnosed with the flu virus, not to prevent the flu, and should be taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu like symptoms.

The Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control offer these recommendations to protect yourself and your family from Influenza A H1N1:
• Stay informed. Listen to local media for updates. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people
• If you get sick with influenza, see your doctor and CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Get your seasonal flu shot.

The local Pandemic Influenza A H1N1 flu hotline number is 419-774-4542. The ODH Influenza A H1N1 flu hotline number is 1-866-800-1404 (8 AM to 5 PM M-F).
Additional information is available on the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department and CDC Web sites at http://www.richlandhealth.org, http://www.odh.ohio.gov and http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/