As more and more cases of H1N1 influenza virus, commonly called swine flu, are detected around the world, health officials in Emporia say they are ready in case a local outbreak occurs.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization raised its alert level for the virus to 5, the second-highest level. Phase 6 signals a full-scale pandemic. That change was made after the first H1N1 flu death was confirmed in the United States, a 22-month-old Mexican boy who was visiting Texas with his parents.
In the meantime, the virus continues to spread. So far there have been almost 100 cases confirmed in 10 states, including two in Kansas.
Local health officials have steps in place to deal with an outbreak, according to Julie Stowe, director of nursing for Newman Regional Health.
“Preparedness is always a work in progress, but hospitals throughout the state, including Newman Regional Health, have been planning and preparing for a pandemic for several years,” Stowe said.
Ann Mayo, director of environmental health at Flint Hills Community Health Center, said Kansas currently is in possession of antiviral medications to help fight an outbreak.
“It was provided from the national stockpile,” Mayo said. “... If we begin to see incidences of the disease, at that point in time the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a protocol in place. They notify us and then it all gets put into action at that point in time.”
Mayo said there are plans to distribute the medicine in a process similar to the mass immunizations provided at the Lyon County Fairgrounds each year.
“We have plans in place that have been practiced over the last several years as a part of the flu clinics that we’ve put on,” Mayo said. “We are also in the process of expanding those plans based on the information we have as it changes over time.”
Stowe said the staff at Newman Regional Health is currently increasing surveillance and screening at the hospital’s entry points.
“If somebody comes into the emergency room or registration we’re assessing to see if they have a fever or cough so we can isolate at the earliest opportunity,” Stowe said. “Our goal is to identify cases and to place them into isolation as appropriate. We’re making sure our staff has the equipment they need and the knowledge they need to take care of any possible patients.”
Health officials are urging people to avoid going out in public at the first sign of illness to limit the spread of the virus.
“They need to stay home unless they are seeking medical care,” Stowe said.
She also reiterated that to avoid contact with the virus people need to wash their hands frequently and to keep their hands away from their faces.
“We know that influenza is droplet-spread,” Stowe said, “so you could be within about three to six feet of a person who is coughing or sneezing and could actually inhale the droplets. But more than that, it would be where those droplets landed and were touched, then transmitted to the eyes or nose or mouth.”
Stowe said in the event of an outbreak, officials would set up a command outpost to help disseminate information from health agencies. Radio, newspapers and the Internet would be used to help communicate with the public.
Stowe emphasized that antiviral medications are not preventatives, and that there is no vaccine for the H1N1 flu.
“(Antiviral) medication is not a vaccine, it’s not for prevention,” she said. “It’s to be taken at the first sign of symptoms to reduce the length and severity of symptoms and to reduce the time that the person is communicable with the illness.”
She also advised anyone showing symptoms to see their physician rather than go to the emergency room.
“That would be appropriate,” she said. “It will prevent the spread of the virus.”
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I fail to see why this strain of flu is causing such panic. The regular flu kills thousands every year but it doesn't get this kind of media attention. I am taking my normal precautions I take during the winter months when colds and flu are common. I'm keeping my young son out of Walmart and the grocery store and being extra careful with using hand sanitizer. And taking my Ester C. Not much else we can do, really. If I get sick I will go sooner to the dr. in case I need Tamiflu. I gather it has to be taken within 48 hours of symptoms to be effective. I hope this all turns out to be a tempest in a teapot.
April 30, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I found the explanation I saw on the news yesterday as very plausible as to why we should be more concerned with this strain of the flu than any other in the past.
First, we have never seen this particular strain of the flu virus before. Ever. As such, and according to the CDC, we don't know yet how it will behave.
Second, we are not naturally immune to this virus like we are to the traditional flu. For years, we have been exposed time and time again to the regular flu virus and so even though we may contract it, if we are ordinarily healthy, we get over it in a few days.
Traditional flu strains have been life-threatening to small children and the elderly. However, this particular "swine flu" virus is affecting young and middle aged adults who are ordinarily healthy people. In some cases, they are dying. This merits attention and concern. Also this virus is travelling faster than the traditional one has in the past.
That's why we need to be vigilant. No need to be panicked, but remaining vigilant about hand washing and staying away from large crowded areas is a good idea.
I thought the best advice I heard was this: If you're sick, stay home. If your kids are sick, keep them home from school. When I was still teaching school, I remember getting sick often because of all the kids who would come to school sick all the time. Since I retired, I haven't had a cold once.
By the way, Wal Mart is out of hand sanitizing gel. Out! Out I tell you!! That will tell you something.
Stay healthy!
April 30, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
I for one am glad to see them taking a more proactive stance on this than waiting and reacting to it. I do think the news is giving it a little to much hype. They can get the info out there without sensationalizing it so much.
April 30, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Where the swine flu came from.
http://sidewayspony.com/pictures/8277
I hope the link works. This was just to cute not to try and post. I'm not trying to make light of the situation.
April 30, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Oh shoot ignore the naughtyish stuff on the page. I didn't think it would show up too. Sorry for that everyone.
April 30, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Well if Walmart is running out of hand sanitizer, at least people are taking reasonable precautions. I nag my husband about cleaning his hands when he gets in the car after being in a store. He admitted yesterday he is doing it now. One good thing may come of this whole deal, maybe next winter people will be more careful and fewer colds etc will be spread around.
April 30, 2009 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
I for one would really like to see big jugs of hand sanitizer at the entrance to places like Wal-Mart, grocery stores, churches, malls. Anyplace many people congregate must have necessary precautions in place. How about some of the greeters actually wiping off the cart handles? Or the guys who haul in the carts from the outside..give them some paper towels and spray and have them go at it. Call me a germ phobe but my hope if/when it reaches Emporia, as a community, we are doing everything we can to eliminate the spread of the flu.
April 30, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EmporiaMama (anonymous) says...
Here is a good article about how to avoid getting it. We just need to use common sense. http://www.ehow.com/how_4936958_avoid...
May 1, 2009 at 1:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )