LibGuides: Emergency Responders and Pandemics : H1N1

What is H1N1?

The H1N1 Flu, commonly referred to as the Swine Flu, is an influenza A virus that reached pandemic spread in 2009. Similar to the seasonal flu, H1N1 causes upper respiratory infections. H1N1 remained in pandemic spread for one year and is now one of the strains that causes the seasonal flu. This flu is a component in current seasonal flu vaccines.

H1N1 Information

Timeline of H1N1
This timeline from the CDC shows the timeline and location of the spread of H1N1.
The international response to the influenza pandemic: WHO responds to the critics
This briefing from 2010 from the World Health Organization answers questions about the H1N1 pandemic.

10 Years Later: The Lasting Impacts of the H1N1 Flu Pandemic Response
This retrospective from the CDC covers the response to H1N1 and its lasting impact.
Characteristics of and Public Health Emergency Responses to COVID-19 and H1N1 Outbreaks: A Case-Comparison Study
An article from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health comparing the emergency responses of COVID-19 and H1N1
The Critical Role EMS Plays in Fighting the Flu
This article discusses the ways that EMS providers are a part of the yearly flu outbreak and highlights the particular role that they played in the fight against H1N1.
An HHS Retrospective on the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic to Advance All Hazards Preparedness
This 2012 retrospective from the Department of Health and Human Services discusses areas in which the response to H1N1 was a success, and areas that can be improved before the next major health crisis.
Lessons from the front lines: the prehospital experience of the 2009 novel H1N1 outbreak in Victoria, Australia
This 2009 article from Disaster Med Public Health Prep discusses the role of prehospital care in Victoria, Australia's response to H1N1. The abstract is available here through the National Library of Medicine.

Swine flu: first responder precautions
This short article from Wildfire Today covers the precautions recommended by the US Fire Administration for first responders during the H1N1 pandemic.
Influenza A (H1N1) "Swine Flu:" What EMS Providers Should Know
This 2009 article from EMS World gives an overview of what EMS providers should know about H1N1 to protect themselves, their patients, and their communities.
Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for Management of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Infection
This 2009 guidance from the CDC discusses how EMS providers can protect themselves while caring for H1N1 patients.

Images of the H1N1 Influenza Virus
This CDC database of images of the H1N1 influenza virus shows microscope images, 3D renderings, and a photo of the test kits developed by the CDC.