State will declare public health emergency

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<!-- close class clearfix--><HR class=m5v><!-- +++++ LEFT SIDE FLOATS +++++ --><!--close float_l --><!-- +++++ BODY + STORY +++++ -->By KAREN MCDONALD (kmcdonald@pjstar.com)
Journal Star
Posted Sep 17, 2009 @ 08:28 PM
Last update Sep 17, 2009 @ 09:51 PM
<HR class=m5v>PEORIA ?
Gov. Pat Quinn next week will declare a public health emergency to provide more resources for a public health response to the H1N1 virus.
The declaration will allow the Peoria City/County Health Department and others to respond to the viral threat through federal funding, said Health Department Administrator Greg Chance.

"The declaration does not necessarily indicate that we're at the extreme measure as it relates to H1N1, but it provides the tools necessary, especially from a public health response, related to the mass vaccination programs that will be a challenge for all public health departments," Chance said.

During a joint meeting Thursday, county and health officials discussed responses if there is a major outbreak of the H1N1 virus in central Illinois and how to adjust to the possibility of large absenteeism in the workplace. The county will place wellness stations with hand sanitizers and information at its facilities, provide seasonal flu shots for employees and survey absenteeism.
The health department is expecting the H1N1 vaccine in mid October, though how much is not yet known. It now appears the vaccine can be administered in one dose instead of two over a period of weeks as previously thought, Chance said.
The federal government has procured more than 300 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine, and distributions will be based on population over a period of weeks through the winter months, Chance said.
"The H1N1 virus is in our community, but that's nothing to be scared about as long we're all following great personal hygiene, getting the seasonal flu shot when it's available and the H1N1 vaccine when it's available," Chance said. "The fortunate thing right now is we have not seen a significant amount of adverse health outcomes due to the H1N1 virus."
Priority groups to receive swine flu shots are children, those caring for infants less than six months old, pregnant women, health care professionals and people with compromised immune systems.
Symptoms mirror those of seasonal flu and the difference can only be confirmed with laboratory confirmation. They include: fever and chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, fatigue and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms.
The health department will receive $200,000 in initial federal grant money with a second round of $200,000 or more in grants. Those funds will be used in planning and to cover immunization campaigns and clinics, public awareness campaigns, supplies and overtime for staff members.
"I'm very apprehensive about the resources that will be necessary to conduct the large-scale-type vaccination program that we're talking about," Chance said.http://www.pjstar.com/news_county/x1...-official-says