Download Locations

• Open CRS (User submitted)

Summary

On June 11, 2009, in response to the global spread of a new strain of H1N1 influenza (flu), the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be an influenza pandemic, the first since 1968. WHO said that the pandemic declaration was based on the geographic spread of the new virus, not on increasing severity of the illnesses it causes. Officials now believe the outbreak began in Mexico in March, or perhaps earlier. The novel H1N1 swine flu was first identified in California in late April. Health officials quickly linked the new virus to many of the illnesses in Mexico. Since then, cases have been reported around the world. On July 16, WHO said it was suspending worldwide case counts of illnesses caused by the virus, and that it no longer wanted member nations to report individual cases. WHO said that tracking in this way was no longer helpful in monitoring the pandemic, but was unnecessarily burdensome for reporting countries. In the final WHO case count of July 6, almost 100,000 cases, and more than 400 deaths, had been reported around the world, on all continents but Antarctica. Early in the outbreak, most of the cases were in North America. Increasing spread is now reported in countries in the Southern Hemisphere, as their winter has arrived, and flu transmission is more efficient. When the outbreak began in late April, U.S. federal agencies adopted a response posture under the overall coordination of the Secretary of Homeland Security. Among other things, officials released antiviral drugs from the national stockpile; launched efforts to develop, manufacture, and test a vaccine; and enabled waivers of liability and a compensation program in the event that a vaccination campaign is carried out. The Obama Administration requested about $9 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to address the situation. On June 26, the President signed P.L. 111-32, which provides $1.9 billion immediately, and an additional $5.8 billion contingent upon a Presidential request documenting the need for, and proposed use of, the additional funds. U.S. health officials continue to monitor the situation, noting that the efficiency of viral transmission and the severity of illness could change in the fall, as the Northern Hemisphere winter approaches. Anticipating that a vaccine against the pandemic strain is to become available, officials say they would decide whether to recommend the vaccine for civilian use. In that case, federal, state and local officials would face decisions regarding the distribution of the vaccine, and about how best to prioritize the allocation of limited supplies. This report first provides a synopsis of key events, actions taken, and authorities invoked by WHO, the U.S. federal government, and state and local governments. It then discusses the WHO process to determine the phase of a flu pandemic, selected activities by the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, and selected activities by state and local authorities. Next, it lists congressional hearings held to date, and provides information about appropriations and funding for pandemic flu activities. Finally, it summarizes U.S. government pandemic flu planning documents and lists sources for additional information about the situation. This report will be continually updated to reflect unfolding events.

XML