Hello all. I just got this email from UnitedHealthCare and wanted to share it with all of you.
As you may have heard, this past weekend, the United States declared a public health emergency in response to the recent reports of swine flu. UnitedHealthcare wanted to immediately update you on swine flu, offer you and your clients' resources for additional information and let you know what we are doing to address the situation.
What is Swine Flu?Swine influenza, or "swine flu", is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease generally found in pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Although humans do not normally get the disease, the current strain of the virus is contagious, and human infections can occur, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Why Has a Public Health Emergency Been Declared?The U.S. public health emergency declaration allows the federal government to free up additional resources to help address this situation, much like it recently did during the public health emergency declarations for the recent flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota.
What Are The Symptoms of Swine Flu?Swine flu symptoms are very similar to seasonal influenza and generally include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing, although some people also develop a runny nose, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals should use reasonable precautions if they suspect they may have been in contact with swine flu and contact their primary physician for specific advice. UnitedHealthcare fully insured members can also contact Care24®, a 24-hour toll-free telephone line staffed by registered nurses.
What is UnitedHealthcare Doing to Address this Situation?We are tracking and responding to developments surrounding this situation. We have strong partnerships in the public and private sector, including the CDC, local and state health agencies. We are prepared to fully leverage all available resources, including more than 10,000 in-house clinical experts to address this situation, if needed. We want to assure you, your clients and members that we will judiciously consider all information and are fully prepared to meet your clients' service needs if this situation escalates.
More InformationFor the most up-to-date information, frequently asked questions and more, please refer to the CDC or WHO Web sites:
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/http://www.who.int/en/
We will continue to keep you, your clients and members updated as new information is made available. Please visit UnitedeServices.com or UnitedHealthcare.com for the most up-to-date information.
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