The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: An Overview

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. The novel H1N1 swine flu was first identified in California in late April. Since then, cases have been reported around the world. When the outbreak began, U.S. officials adopted a response posture under the overall coordination of the Secretary of Homeland Security. Among other things, officials established a government-wide informational website httpwww.flu.gov, released antiviral drugs from the national stockpile, developed new diagnostic tests for the H1N1 virus, and published guidance for the clinical management of patients and the management of community and school outbreaks. This report provides a synopsis of key events in the H1N1 pandemic response, followed by information about selected federal emergency management authorities and actions taken by DHS, HHS, and state and local authorities. It then lists congressional hearings held to date discusses appropriations and funding for pandemic flu preparedness and response activities summarizes U.S. government pandemic flu planning documents and lists sources for additional information. An Appendix describes the WHO process to determine the phase of an emerging flu pandemic.