April 2009 gets associated with the spread of a contagious form of influenza, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic which brought to book immense challenges to the US health state departments. Initially, several kinds of reports relating to an unknown type of strain which eventually got identified as the H1N1virus had already been spotted in Mexico as well as in the southwestern regions of the US. Pollen analysis relating to the spread of the H1N1 virus in the US highlights Tennessee to have been able to brave the intensive sweep of the disease.
The public health community in Tennessee through its various collaborations with the federal government as well as the private sectors helped in enforcing advanced mobilizations about the quick spread of the disease from Mexico. However, several kinds of difficulties such as the advancing threat of the disease could still face the health officials in the process of discharging their duties.
Upon identifying that the unidentified H1N1 strain had affected California and Texas, health practitioners in Tennessee responded swiftly through its emergency responses. There was the activation of the State Health Operations Center in Nashville for coordination purposes among close associates who reacted promptly to H1N1 emergencies. However, with the first identification of the virus in one of Williamson’s County resident, the Tennessee health team had to give the public hope and reassurance. Besides, the senior medical officials chose to avail themselves on the media to help extend guidance to the masses.
Tennessee health officials could test and identify for H1N1 significantly by 7th of March 2017. However, with no vaccine yet availed, the health officials got subjected to limited countermeasures; the officials chose to deploy some strategies to lessen the severity of the H1N1 virus. Also, precautionary measures had to be adopted ultimately.
While Tennessee thought of possible medications, it had to implement Texas’s method of operation in controlling the virus. Texas health officials had piloted a program that saw the distribution of drugs courtesy of private pharmacies’ supply chain. Tennessee, through Dr. Paul Peterson, improved Texas’s approach and responded by opening the medical supply chain program to all the Tennessee pharmacies.
As the H1N1 virus became prevalent, some preparedness and planning strategies got devised. The closure of schools in Tennessee during the initial periods of the pandemic was a milestone. At least four schools responded to the state’s call by forfeiting their classes. In Knox County, a student had contracted the infectious disease. Jones and Buchanan both from the Knox County health department considered to broadcast in media about general H1N1 preparedness through their “metro” health agencies. However, CDC through its flexible guidelines helped to keep staff and students at home. The immediate closure of schools was no longer an option.
Meanwhile, there was a need for advanced planning after learning from the past encounters. Preparations to avail the H1N1vaccine became essential. Dr. Kelly Moore’s primary experience with the virus following his similar experience under the auspices of the British government helped to forge a possible remedy. Coordination through partnerships with specific figures like media personalities helped to build relationships when the vaccination process eventually kicked off. Tennessee responded positively during the vaccine administration process until health normalcy got achieved. The decline in demand for the H1N1 vaccine had marked a significant step towards combating the H1N1 virus despite the possible challenges which emanated in Knox County where specific obstacles had interrupted the vaccine distribution process.
References
Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University (2009). Tennessee Responds to the 2009 Novel H1N1 Influenza A Pandemic. Handout. Case Number 1941.0.
