CDC H1N1 Flu | Topic Areas For CDC H1N1 Public Health Emergency Response Projects

Topic Areas For CDC H1N1 Public Health Emergency Response Projects
August 28, 2009 8:00 AM ET

The following information describes areas under active investigation by CDC and public health partners. Data generated by these projects will be used to guide the ongoing response to the H1N1 outbreak.

I. Domestic Projects

The projects listed below are underway in many U.S. states and cities. Some were initiated as part of Epidemic AID (EPI-AID) investigations1 conducted in April and May 2009 in California, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington State.

A. Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology
H1N1 surveillance projects
Description of hospitalized H1N1 cases and deaths
Serosurveys to assess proportions of mild and asymptomatic H1N1 infections
Investigation of H1N1 outbreaks in schools, a hospital, a university, a nursing home and a camp
Household and school transmission projects to assess H1N1 risk factors and secondary attack rates
Identification of risk factors for H1N1 transmission among healthcare workers
Comparison of seasonal-influenza vaccination status of H1N1 patients and controls
Assessment of the extent and duration of viral shedding in patients with H1N1 infection, including school-age children
Evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of rapid diagnostic tests for the H1N1 virus
Evaluation of healthcare-seeking behavior during the H1N1 outbreak in spring 2009
B. Community Mitigation
Collection of data on utilization of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), including school closures, during the H1N1 outbreak in spring 2009
Evaluation of the impact of school closures and other NPIs on H1N1 transmission
Evaluation of economic and other secondary impacts of school closures on local communities
Evaluation of adherence to NPIs among affected groups
Assessment of lessons learned from the H1N1 outbreak in spring 2009, conducted in association with state and local health officials
Evaluation of ways to improve school-based influenza surveillance and implement school closures next fall, if needed.
Determination of whether and how to modify the Pandemic Severity Index to make it a more useful tool for public health decision-making
Assessments of public attitudes toward school closures and other NPIs (see also: Public Health Communications)
C. Laboratory Projects
Sequencing projects to assess the evolutionary origin of the novel H1N1 virus
Evaluation of H1N1 transmissibility, using an animal model
Description of the pathogenesis of H1N1 infection, using animal models
Development of serologic assays for H1N1
Development of methods for in vitro culture of H1N1
Assessment of human immune responses to H1N1 in various age groups
Assessment of human immune responses to H1N1 after vaccination with H1N1 candidate vaccines, as they become available
Assessment of the effectiveness of the 2008-09 seasonal influenza vaccine in providing protection against H1N1 infection, using an animal model
Development and evaluation of seed strains for H1N1 vaccine development, using traditional methods and reverse genetics.
Generation of human monoclonal antibodies against HA epitopes and evaluation of their activity against H1N1 virus, in vitro and in vivo
Evaluation of the persistence of H1N1 and other influenza viruses on environmental surfaces and in aerosols
Evaluation of methods for safe use of N95 respirators and other personal protective equipment
D. Public Health Communications
Assessments of attitudes toward H1N1 influenza, antiviral drugs, and influenza vaccines among parents, vulnerable populations, and general audiences
Assessments of attitudes toward school closures and other NPIs among parents, vulnerable populations (including the homeless), farm workers, faculty members, students, members of student households, and general audiences
Assessment of clinicians’ attitudes and concerns about H1N1 influenza
Assessment of private sector (business) preparedness for implementing NPIs
Assessment of H1N1-related public health communications planning efforts at state and local health departments

II. International Projects
The projects listed below have been initiated by ministries of health and other international partners, with financial and/or technical support from CDC. International partners include:

World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Program
WHO/Geneva, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and other WHO Regional and Country Offices
International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B)
International Emerging Infections Programs in China, Egypt, Guatemala, Kenya, and Thailand
U. S. Naval Medical Research Center, Lima (NMRCD)
A. Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology
Providing technical assistance to enhance surveillance for hospitalized cases of severe acute respiratory illness that might be caused by novel influenza H1N1
Clinical descriptions of hospitalized novel H1N1 cases and deaths
Epidemiologic assessments of risk factors for severe outcomes
Population-based projects to assess relative burden of mild and severe illness
Transmission projects to assess novel H1N1 primary and secondary attack rates
B. Laboratory Projects
Ongoing assessment of antigenic and genetic changes in the H1N1 virus, including changes that might affect antiviral resistance, virulence, or effectiveness of H1N1 vaccines.

The CDC Influenza Laboratory is working with other WHO Collaborating Centers and international partners to conduct this assessment, using H1N1 isolates collected by the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network.

Projects on the pathogenesis of H1N1 infection
Assessment of the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines against circulating influenza strains, including H1N1
Animal-human interface projects to identify animal reservoirs for influenza viruses
Assessments of best practices for minimizing risk of animal-to-human transmission of influenza viruses in live animal markets

C. Public Health Communications
Assessment of pandemic influenza guidance and messages for health communicators and educators


1 EPI-AID investigations are conducted by Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers and other CDC staff when state or large local health agencies request assistance with epidemiologic field investigations of outbreaks or other health emergencies.

Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.

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CDC H1N1 Flu | Topic Areas For CDC H1N1 Public Health Emergency Response Projects