Commonground
Senior Moderator
Written by Lynsey Santimays
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 00:00
Do. Not. Panic.
That was the message town health director David Knauf told Darienites and the Board of Selectmen about the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as swine flu, at Tuesday night?s Board of Selectman meeting. Knauf provided an update on the virus and the anticipated vaccine.
?The biggest issue we will face this fall is the anticipated return of the H1N1 virus,? Knauf said Tuesday. ?As of this point, we do not know when the vaccine will be available and how much will be available at any given point.?
The vaccine is expected to be released sometime in November, but the delays have to do with testing and approvals.
While this ambiguity makes it difficult for the town to plan, Knauf said that they are in regular conferences with both the school system and the state health department. The town is applying to the state to become a provider of the vaccine, and they plan to form vaccination teams which will be able to vaccinate children while they are at school.
?This will allow us to vaccinate the school children quickly without disrupting their day to go to the doctor,? Knauf said.
The schools have already been stocked with large quantities of hand sanitizer and facial tissues, to try and inhibit any potential spread of the virus. Knauf also reinforced on Tuesday that if children ? or adults ? are feeling any of the flu symptoms, they should stay home.
?If you have a fever, chills, or body aches, please stay home until you have no symptoms for 24 hours,? Knauf urged.
In order to keep everyone informed, Knauf said that the health department has prepared letters for the town Web site that inform Darienites of the symptoms, and he and Schools Superintendent Don Fiftal recently completed a public service announcement to air on Channel 79.
In addition, the town health department plans to utilize the town?s CodeRED Emergency Notification System, which sends out alerts to phones, as a way to inform residents of when the H1N1 vaccination clinics will be held. If you?re using a cell phone or your number is unlisted, you can register for the CodeRED system on the town?s Web site, darienct.gov.
Selectman David Bayne asked if people should delay getting their regular, seasonal flu vaccine while waiting for the H1N1 vaccine. Knauf said that they are separate vaccines, and people should get their seasonal flu vaccine as usual. ?There is no benefit to waiting,? he added.
?We are doing this update tonight to make people aware and keep everyone in the loop of what is going on so that there won?t be any fear or panic,? First Selectman Evonne Klein said Tuesday.
Knauf added: ?Our biggest ally is communication.?
In addition to bringing the town up to speed on the H1N1 virus, Knauf also gave an overview of other health issues around town.
He was happy to report that none of the beaches had to close this summer due to high bacteria counts. Last year, Pear Tree Point Beach was closed for 30 days due to spilled sewage.
In addition, the Darien Health Department has started to issue ratings to local restaurants. This is part of a new policy which requires town restaurants to display its health inspection ratings.
Knauf was also proud to announce that Darien was the recent recipient of HeartSafe award from the state Department of Health. The award has to do with Darien?s ?ability to respond effectively to cardiac situations,? Knauf said.
http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla1...vaccine&catid=1:darien-local-news&Itemid=1323