W.H. memo on swine flu
James A. Messina Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff
Jeffrey Kuhlman, MD, MPH White House Medical Director, Chief White House Physician
David Martin, MD, MPH Medical Director de facto, Executive Office of the President
Information for Travelers on the April 16-17 Mexico City Trip
Members of the Executive Office of the President, White House Military Office, United States Secret Service, and associated agencies traveled to Mexico City from March 16-17 and from April 6-17. By the conclusion of the President’s visit on April 17, H1N1 was circulating in Mexico City. There have been no known instances of anyone working at the White House complex who has tested positive for a flu strain in the past month. We are providing you this information so that you are aware of the CDC guidance that has been provided to the general public and the federal workforce.
The most current information from the CDC indicates that adults are infectious from one day prior to the onset of symptoms until 7 days of symptoms have elapsed. Children may be infectious from one day prior to the onset of symptoms until 10 days of symptoms have elapsed. Individuals who have been well until today are extremely unlikely to develop H1N1 as a result of an exposure on this trip.
At this time, use of antiviral medications to prevent H1N1 in individuals linked by close contact to an individual with H1N1 is recommended for the duration of the exposure until ten days post exposure. Since White House employees are already twelve days post exposure, no preventive treatment is indicated. Indiscriminate use of preventive medication may contribute to antiviral resistance.
Although the trip is an unlikely source of future influenza illness, White House employees could acquire H1N1 in the community if the disease spreads further in the local area. White House employees should remain vigilant for acute respiratory symptoms, and they should not come to work until they have been evaluated by a healthcare provider.
David B. Martin, MD, MPH, FACOEM
White House Physician
Medical Director, EOP