Girdwood Clinic treats SF - fire fighters also catch virus

[AlaskaDenise]

Girdwood Clinic treats Swine Flu patients

Several Fire Department employees also catch H1N1 virus

(snipped)



According to Ken Waugh, physician's assistant at the Girdwood Clinic, he said, ?It is presumed that there is no other flu circulating in the state at this time. The Girdwood Clinic has seen several confirmed cases of H1N1.?

Girdwood Fire Chief Bill Chadwick also confirmed that several firefighters at the Girdwood Fire Department also contracted H1N1.

Waugh said that Alaska is expecting to see the H1N1 vaccine in the first half of October. The priority groups will receive the vaccine first. Those groups include health care providers, emergency services personnel, pregnant women, and those who live with infants 0-6 months (newborns cannot be vaccinated).

http://www.turnagaintimes.com/current issue/2009-10-01/swine-flu.html

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Girdwood Clinic treats SF - fire fighters also catch virus

The important point of this article is that these small towns have small volunteer fire departments. If they get very many flu cases, they have difficulty even responding to an emergency. They must call for assistance from neighboring communities - which are often 30+ minuates away.

My local FD has only 4 members who respond regulary and they must have at least 3 responders to roll even one truck. If 2 of the regular responders have a serious case of flu, it has a big impact on their ability to repond to emergencies.

.

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Girdwood Clinic treats SF - fire fighters also catch virus

Local Narrow Relations generates a sense of belonging and as LA said it it is a matter of locals to stand up and put their shoulders at the wheel to reach out.

Snowy

Local boys chop wood