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http://www.waff.com/global/story.asp?s=10971548
Concern over swine flu grows
Posted: Aug 21, 2009 4:09 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 21, 2009 6:01 PM CDT
By Elizabeth Gentle - bio | email
Posted by Dana Franks - email
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - The big message from state health officers: If you're sick, stay home. They said the only way to minimize the spread of H1N1 is to prevent contact with other people.
The spread of influenza has many concerned. They want to know the numbers, what's being done to prevent H1N1 from spreading and what to expect as the state waits for vaccine.
"The last six weeks we've had over 1,000 influenza cases confirmed by laboratory testing. Of those 1,000 influenza cases, all but four have been H1N1," said State Health Officer Don Williamson.
So far, 115 cases are now reported in Madison County. Statewide, the numbers are expected to grow.
"We are at the beginning of this, we are not half way through this, we are not a quarter through this we are dealing with influenza at a time of the year when we historically have never dealt with influenza," said Williamson.
Williamson said the target group for the H1N1 sickness is young children. Already there's concern about school absentism.
"If sick children will stay home, schools can stay open," said Williamson.
The same advice goes for sick employees in the workplace. State health leaders said don't come in if you feel bad. And employers shouldn't insist sick workers bring in a physcian's excuse.
"We don't want health care settings filled up with people needing to seek medical excuses when those health care settings are needed to take care of patients who are ill," said Williamson.
Health workers said they are doing all they can to minimize influenza cases. Right now, they are waiting on some 600,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine which is expected to arrive in October. They hope that will help keep the illness from spreading.
By December, 2 million H1N1 vaccines will be given statewide. Alabama will also receive 1 million doses of regular flu vaccine. Those are being given early as a precaution.
?2009 WAFF. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Concern over swine flu grows
Posted: Aug 21, 2009 4:09 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 21, 2009 6:01 PM CDT
By Elizabeth Gentle - bio | email
Posted by Dana Franks - email
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - The big message from state health officers: If you're sick, stay home. They said the only way to minimize the spread of H1N1 is to prevent contact with other people.
The spread of influenza has many concerned. They want to know the numbers, what's being done to prevent H1N1 from spreading and what to expect as the state waits for vaccine.
"The last six weeks we've had over 1,000 influenza cases confirmed by laboratory testing. Of those 1,000 influenza cases, all but four have been H1N1," said State Health Officer Don Williamson.
So far, 115 cases are now reported in Madison County. Statewide, the numbers are expected to grow.
"We are at the beginning of this, we are not half way through this, we are not a quarter through this we are dealing with influenza at a time of the year when we historically have never dealt with influenza," said Williamson.
Williamson said the target group for the H1N1 sickness is young children. Already there's concern about school absentism.
"If sick children will stay home, schools can stay open," said Williamson.
The same advice goes for sick employees in the workplace. State health leaders said don't come in if you feel bad. And employers shouldn't insist sick workers bring in a physcian's excuse.
"We don't want health care settings filled up with people needing to seek medical excuses when those health care settings are needed to take care of patients who are ill," said Williamson.
Health workers said they are doing all they can to minimize influenza cases. Right now, they are waiting on some 600,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine which is expected to arrive in October. They hope that will help keep the illness from spreading.
By December, 2 million H1N1 vaccines will be given statewide. Alabama will also receive 1 million doses of regular flu vaccine. Those are being given early as a precaution.
?2009 WAFF. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.