North Georgia Conference 

CDC Influenza A (N1H1, Swine Flu) Update 5/27 11:00 AM

Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, sparking a growing outbreak of illness in the United States. An increasing number of cases are being reported internationally as well.

It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.

It’s uncertain at this time how severe this novel H1N1 outbreak will be in terms of illness and death compared with other influenza viruses. Because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against this novel H1N1 virus. CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks.

At this time, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. This assessment is based on scientific evidence available to WHO, as well as input from its Member States on the pandemic's impact on their health systems, and their social and economic functioning.

The moderate assessment reflects that:

• Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
• Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.
• Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities.

The World Health Organization is concerned about current patterns of serious cases and deaths that are occurring primarily among young persons, including the previously healthy and those with pre-existing medical conditions or pregnancy.

For more information (swine flu)

Tornado damages 27 homes in Maryland

The small tornado that swept across southeastern Baltimore County on Saturday afternoon damaged 27 homes in the Essex area, but only one sustained major damage, the Baltimore County Office of Emergency Management said Monday. There were no immediate estimates of damages.

The twister was one of two that formed over Baltimore and Harford counties as a line of thunderstorms approached the Chesapeake Bay soon after 3 p.m. A third storm over Anne Arundel County spawned a waterspout that crossed the bay and passed just north of Love Point on Kent Island.

"It was a pretty hot and heavy period of active weather in a very small area," said Steven M. Zubrick, science and operations officer for the National Weather Service's forecast office in Sterling, Va. "The whole atmosphere was real juiced ... almost tropical in nature."

The weather service issued a tornado watch for the area at 3:05 p.m. The watch was changed to a warning for Harford County at 3:34 p.m., followed by another for Essex at 3:46 p.m.

The Harford County tornado was rated an EF-0, the weakest on the enhanced Fujita scale, with peak winds of about 70 mph. The storm cut a three-mile path about 100 yards wide. About a dozen trees were uprooted in between Hollingsworth and Ring Factory roads before the storm dissipated at 3:38 p.m., according to a weather service survey.

The Essex twister crossed five miles of the county. It first touched down at 3:44 p.m., toppling a large tree that severely damaged one home, and caused lesser damage to roofing and siding in the area of Woodlynn Road, and Lance, Kinwat and Tibsen avenues.

After rising off the ground for a time, the funnel intensified, touched down again and toppled dozens of large trees on Island View Road at Balliston Point.

Disaster Operations Center

(Only open during major responses)

During the time of major response, please direct all contacts through the Disaster Operations Center. 

At other times, please contact the following. 

Disaster Response Leadership:

Mike Yoder, Committee Chairperson
770-483-6384
m_yoder@ngdisasterresponse.org