Pandemic Influenza Plan - Questar III

Section 7: Antiviral Medication Procurement, Distribution, and Use
susceptibility of the pandemic strain, and on when a vaccine becomes
available.
• In conjunction with CDC authorize the use of antivirals to treat and
control the spread of disease from individuals and small clusters, if cases
of novel influenza should occur in the US.
• In conjunction with CDC authorize the tracing of and use of antivirals to
prophylax close contacts of persons with novel influenza.
• As the pandemic becomes more widespread it will no longer be practical
or useful to prophylax against outbreaks.
• Monitor the amount of people that receive antivirals for prophylaxis to
preserve and extend supplies available to treat those persons at the highest
risk of serious morbidity and death.
• Assist with the acquisition, distribution, and administration of antivirals to
identified priority groups.
• Implement mass distribution of antivirals if needed.
Local Health Departments:
• In conjunction with NYSDOH, CDC, and health care partners administer
antivirals to control the spread of disease in small cluster outbreaks or
outbreaks in contained settings.
• Trace and prophylax close contacts of confirmed cases if authorized to do
so by CDC and NYSDOH.
• Assist with the distribution and administration of antivirals to identified
and confirmed priority groups.
• Implement mass distribution of antivirals if needed.
Healthcare Partners:
• With increasing disease activity base treatment decisions on:
o Laboratory confirmation of infection with a pandemic subtype,
o Detection of influenza A by rapid antigen test, or
o Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics.
• Initiate treatment before laboratory confirmation is obtained.
• Continue treatment awaiting confirmatory tests.
• Target prophylaxis to priority groups.
• Use PEP to control small well-defined disease clusters and to protect
individuals with a known exposure to a pandemic virus, such as household
contacts.
• PEP may be used to protect those prioritized during the period between
vaccination and the development of immunity.
• If possible reserve the use of antivirals for prophylaxis only during period
of peak viral circulation if that information is available.
February 7, 2006 7-13