THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MYERS, BISHOP, BRADFORD, CALTAGIRONE, CRUZ, DeLUCA, DONATUCCI, GOODMAN, HELM, JOSEPHS, KORTZ, KULA, MAHONEY, MANN, McCALL, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, READSHAW, SAINATO, SIPTROTH, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH AND YOUNGBLOOD, OCTOBER 16, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, OCTOBER 16, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the prevention of influenza during the

2009-2010 influenza season, specifically the H1N1 virus

strain.

WHEREAS, A new influenza (flu) virus strain known as H1N1 and

commonly referred to as swine flu is causing illness in many

individuals; and

WHEREAS, H1N1 was first detected in people in the United

States in April 2009 and spread worldwide in much the same way

that regular influenza virus spreads; and

WHEREAS, On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization

announced that a pandemic of H1N1 flu was underway; and

WHEREAS, Spread of the virus is mainly from person to person

through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza; and

WHEREAS, Human infections with the H1N1 virus are ongoing and

many people who have become ill with this new strain of swine

flu have recovered without medical treatment; and

WHEREAS, Adults who are at least 65 years of age, children

five years of age or younger, pregnant women and people of any

age with certain chronic medical conditions are at high risk for

serious complications from contracting seasonal flu; and

WHEREAS, Each year in the United States, an average of 36,000

people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000

people are hospitalized; and

WHEREAS, Of those people who are hospitalized, 20,000 are

children five years of age or younger and more than 90% of

deaths and 60% of hospitalizations occur in people who are at

least 65 years of age; and

WHEREAS, To reduce the risk of contracting H1N1, people

should cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough

or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after use, wash

their hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based

hand sanitizer; and

WHEREAS, To avoid the spread of germs, people should avoid

touching their eyes, nose or mouth; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

recommends that to prevent infection, one should wash one's

hands with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds; and

WHEREAS, Numerous H1N1 cases have occurred in the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, specifically 2,450 confirmed and

57 probable cases; and

WHEREAS, Among confirmed and probable cases with known status

3% are hospitalized, 0.5% are health care workers and 0.6% are

pregnant women; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania express full and enthusiastic

support for the prevention of influenza during the 2009-2010

influenza season, specifically the H1N1 virus strain; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to

the presiding officers of each house of the Congress of the

United States and to each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.