Governor Rell Calls on CDC to Release

More of State’s Tamiflu Allocation from U.S. Stockpile

As cases of H1N1 continue to mount in Connecticut, Governor M. Jodi Rell today has asked the state Department of Public Health for an inventory of anti-viral medication in Connecticut and is urging federal health officials to immediately release a second round of anti-viral medication from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

This development comes the same day the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised Connecticut’s flu activity classification to “widespread,” the highest level of activity.

            “In one week, we have seen a dramatic increase in suspected cases of the H1N1 flu across the state and it is vital that our hospitals and pharmacies have enough Tamiflu and Relenza on hand to meet any surge in demand,” Governor Rell said.

In April, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provided Connecticut with more than 130,000 treatment courses of antiviral medication, or 25 percent of the state’s SNS allocation for distribution to acute care hospitals and community health centers. The drugs – oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) – are administered in the early stages of the illness and lessen its severity and duration.

“The number of people coming down with the flu is growing rapidly and we must take precautions. This includes our request for the immediate release of more of Connecticut’s share of Tamiflu and Relenza from the national stockpile for those who develop influenza-like illness,” the Governor said.

The drugs interfere with the ability of the virus to make copies of itself, which in turn helps the body fight the infection. Each treatment course is a 10-day supply of either Tamiflu or Relenza.

For more information on H1N1 resources in Connecticut call the H1N1 hot line at: 800-830-9426, or visit the www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch