IA The Iowa Department of Public Health is offering a toll-free hotline for people wanting to know more about swine flu. That's the latest virus causing several illnesses and deaths in Mexico, and many illnesses in the Unites States. If you'd like to call the hotline it's 1-800-447-1985. The Ohio Department of OH Health has created a toll-free information line for Ohioans with questions about swine flu.
The information line – 1-866-800-1404 – is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ODH will reassess hours of operation as the situation warrants.
KA The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has established a phone number for concerned Kansans to call with questions about swine <NOBR id=itxt_nobr_0_0 style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">flu
</NOBR>. The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317. Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/43877452.html
NJ: The state health department has established a 24-hour swine flu hotline to answer questions about the virus-caused illness at 866 321-9571. http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_sets_up_swine_flu_hot_line.html
SC, Charleston
By Nathan Stewart
Photo Journalists
Published: April 28, 2009
DHEC’S phone panel is just another way concerned citizens can get answers re-guarding the Swine Flu.
The call center says they are only receiving about a dozen calls an hour. The most most common question, what to do if you start showing symptoms. The phone panel is telling people if their symptoms are mild to just ride it out; but, if you are experiencing a fever of over 100 for more than 24 hours, that you should call your doctor…
The call center recommends that if you have to travel to Mexico or to a place where there is an outbreak of Swine Flu, that you wash your hands regularly, stay away from crowded areas, and even wear a mask.
For more information you can call DHEC Swine Flu hotline at: 843-953-0095
Or, contact the DHEC or CDC websites:
http://www.counton2.com/cbd/news/lo...call_center_answers_citizens_questions/24136/
TN
Knox Co. Health Department opens swine flu call center
April 29, 2009 12:35 PM EDT
By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- In an effort to alleviate concerns and control bad information about swine flu, the Knox County Health Department has opened a call center for the public.
<TABLE style="BORDER-TOP: #005800 2px solid; FONT-SIZE: 12px; BACKGROUND: #ededed; WIDTH: 180px; COLOR: #000; MARGIN-RIGHT: 6px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #005800 2px solid; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,arial,sans-serif" align=left><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 6px; PADDING-LEFT: 6px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 6px; PADDING-TOP: 6px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">SWINE FLU CALL CENTER</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
The call center started Tuesday and on Wednesday, about 21 calls came in the first two hours.
"We are getting a variety of calls from parents and anyone wanting to do know how to protect themselves," says certified nurse Letha Hancock.
The most common questions include prevention and travel concerns.
"If it's non-essential (travel) and it can be done at a later date, we are recommending that they do that," says certified nurse Jodi Persino.
The call center is focused on keeping the public in the know, as well as the staffers.
"We learn a lot about what the community when people call and ask questions so it's a big help to public health for people to call," said Knox County Health Director Mark Jones.
So far, the number of calls isn't overwhelming, but officials say they're ready if the volume increases.
"We are expecting the phone call volume to increase once we see cases closer and closer to home," Persino says.
Three phone lines are open, but up to 15 lines are available if they're needed.
TX
Individuals with these flu-like symptoms should call the state’s swine flu call center at 888-777-5320. For health care providers with questions about assessing, evaluating and treating swine flu, call 877-623-6274. These lines are operational from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/12292/
Virginia opens swine flu call center
Diana McFarland
News editor
There are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Virginia, but concerned residents can contact a health department hotline with questions and concerns.
The hotline begins Thursday, April 30, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will also be available on Friday and can be reached by calling 1-877-ASKVDH3.
After Friday, officials with the Virginia Department of Health will decide on whether to continue the service next week.
Meanwhile, state health officials are receiving anti-viral medication and supplies, as well as checking stockpiles of supplies gathered during regular pandemic flu preparations.
And because there haven’t yet been any confirmed cases of swine flu in Virginia, health officials have not called for the cancellation of any public events.
Health officials said the best way to prevent contracting the illness is for people to wash their hands frequently, cover their mouths when coughing and stay home when sick.
Hand sanitizers and masks are also good “tools” for the toolbox once there are confirmed cases, said Dr. Diane Helentjaris with the Virginia Department of Health.
““It’s much more effective to have people stay home when they’re sick and not be in contact with others.”
Health officials were not able to release the number of cases under investigation in the state.
The swine flu behaves much like seasonal flu, Helentjaris said.
The incubation period after exposure seems to be about two to four days, “but those numbers aren’t the final numbers,” she said.
Those that are infected are thought to be contagious for a day before symptoms and up to seven days after symptoms disappear, Heentjaris added.
So far, there have been 91 confirmed cases and one death attributed to swine flu in the United States. Most of the deaths have occurred in Mexico, where the disease is thought to have started, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Cases have been confirmed in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 April 2009 15:53 )http://www.smithfieldtimes.com/index.php/news/25-top-stories/100-swine-flu-call-
The information line – 1-866-800-1404 – is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ODH will reassess hours of operation as the situation warrants.
KA The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has established a phone number for concerned Kansans to call with questions about swine <NOBR id=itxt_nobr_0_0 style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">flu
</NOBR>. The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317. Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/43877452.htmlNJ: The state health department has established a 24-hour swine flu hotline to answer questions about the virus-caused illness at 866 321-9571. http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_sets_up_swine_flu_hot_line.html
SC, Charleston
By Nathan Stewart
Photo Journalists
Published: April 28, 2009
DHEC’S phone panel is just another way concerned citizens can get answers re-guarding the Swine Flu.
The call center says they are only receiving about a dozen calls an hour. The most most common question, what to do if you start showing symptoms. The phone panel is telling people if their symptoms are mild to just ride it out; but, if you are experiencing a fever of over 100 for more than 24 hours, that you should call your doctor…
The call center recommends that if you have to travel to Mexico or to a place where there is an outbreak of Swine Flu, that you wash your hands regularly, stay away from crowded areas, and even wear a mask.
For more information you can call DHEC Swine Flu hotline at: 843-953-0095
Or, contact the DHEC or CDC websites:
http://www.counton2.com/cbd/news/lo...call_center_answers_citizens_questions/24136/
TN
Knox Co. Health Department opens swine flu call center
April 29, 2009 12:35 PM EDT
By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- In an effort to alleviate concerns and control bad information about swine flu, the Knox County Health Department has opened a call center for the public.
<TABLE style="BORDER-TOP: #005800 2px solid; FONT-SIZE: 12px; BACKGROUND: #ededed; WIDTH: 180px; COLOR: #000; MARGIN-RIGHT: 6px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #005800 2px solid; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,arial,sans-serif" align=left><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 6px; PADDING-LEFT: 6px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 6px; PADDING-TOP: 6px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">SWINE FLU CALL CENTER</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
- <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6px">The number is (865)-215-5555. The calls are answered by certified nurses. <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6px">The hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- If you're a doctor or a healthcare provider, there's a separate line for your questions. The number is (865)-215-5093.
The call center started Tuesday and on Wednesday, about 21 calls came in the first two hours.
"We are getting a variety of calls from parents and anyone wanting to do know how to protect themselves," says certified nurse Letha Hancock.
The most common questions include prevention and travel concerns.
"If it's non-essential (travel) and it can be done at a later date, we are recommending that they do that," says certified nurse Jodi Persino.
The call center is focused on keeping the public in the know, as well as the staffers.
"We learn a lot about what the community when people call and ask questions so it's a big help to public health for people to call," said Knox County Health Director Mark Jones.
So far, the number of calls isn't overwhelming, but officials say they're ready if the volume increases.
"We are expecting the phone call volume to increase once we see cases closer and closer to home," Persino says.
Three phone lines are open, but up to 15 lines are available if they're needed.
TX
Individuals with these flu-like symptoms should call the state’s swine flu call center at 888-777-5320. For health care providers with questions about assessing, evaluating and treating swine flu, call 877-623-6274. These lines are operational from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/12292/
Virginia opens swine flu call center
Diana McFarland
News editorThere are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Virginia, but concerned residents can contact a health department hotline with questions and concerns.
The hotline begins Thursday, April 30, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will also be available on Friday and can be reached by calling 1-877-ASKVDH3.
After Friday, officials with the Virginia Department of Health will decide on whether to continue the service next week.
Meanwhile, state health officials are receiving anti-viral medication and supplies, as well as checking stockpiles of supplies gathered during regular pandemic flu preparations.
And because there haven’t yet been any confirmed cases of swine flu in Virginia, health officials have not called for the cancellation of any public events.
Health officials said the best way to prevent contracting the illness is for people to wash their hands frequently, cover their mouths when coughing and stay home when sick.
Hand sanitizers and masks are also good “tools” for the toolbox once there are confirmed cases, said Dr. Diane Helentjaris with the Virginia Department of Health.
““It’s much more effective to have people stay home when they’re sick and not be in contact with others.”
Health officials were not able to release the number of cases under investigation in the state.
The swine flu behaves much like seasonal flu, Helentjaris said.
The incubation period after exposure seems to be about two to four days, “but those numbers aren’t the final numbers,” she said.
Those that are infected are thought to be contagious for a day before symptoms and up to seven days after symptoms disappear, Heentjaris added.
So far, there have been 91 confirmed cases and one death attributed to swine flu in the United States. Most of the deaths have occurred in Mexico, where the disease is thought to have started, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Cases have been confirmed in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 April 2009 15:53 )http://www.smithfieldtimes.com/index.php/news/25-top-stories/100-swine-flu-call-
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