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Oklahoma officials prepare for swine flu onslaught
Oklahoma may be one of the first ‘to experience the brunt of H1N1,’ expert says
BY SUSAN SIMPSON
Published: September 9, 2009
Swine flu is accelerating in Oklahoma, and the number of cases likely will peak before vaccines are available in mid-October, state and local health officials said Tuesday.
State epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley addresses members of the media about state's reaction to current outbreak of the swine flu in Mexico and isolated areas of the United States Monday afternoon, April 27, 2009 at the Oklahoma State Department of Health in Oklahoma City. At left is Scott Sproat, chief, emergency preparedness and response. Photo by JIM BECKEL
That makes preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing and staying away from sick people, critical to slowing the spread of the pandemic.
State epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said the state is surveying several physician practices and labs across the state to estimate the spread of swine flu, also called H1N1. In five of eight regions, the number of people with flu-like illness increased at least 25 percent in the week ending Aug. 29.
"We are going to be one of the first states to experience the brunt of H1N1 this year,” Bradley said.
Only one Oklahoman has died of swine flu, but on average about 40 Americans are dying each week.
"It’s a sobering reminder that influenza is not an innocuous virus,” Bradley said.
Flu-like illness is described as having a temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, along with a cough or sore throat. Most doctors are not testing for flu, but telling patients with symptoms they likely have swine flu. Two-thirds of patients have been younger than 24.
The state is requiring physicians report all hospitalizations and deaths of patients with flu-like illness. Seven hospitalizations were reported since tracking started Sept. 1. Officials also are tracking whether hospitals can handle the strain of more people seeking emergency treatment.
The state has several scenarios for how H1N1 may track through Oklahoma. It may cycle through in one wave lasting eight to 10 weeks and infecting mostly young people. Additionally, a second wave of H1N1 could strike a different age group. A third scenario has one cycle of H1N1 followed by a wave of seasonal flu.
"There will be uncertainty throughout this pandemic,” Bradley said.
Once available, vaccines are recommended for all priority groups in Oklahoma, said Don Blose, chief of immunizations for the state Health Department. He said the shot is as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine and meets the same government oversight.
The vaccines will be distributed throughout the state to county health departments and physicians and will be free to patients, he said. About 450,000 doses are expected in the first shipment, with subsequent weekly shipments of 250,000 doses.
Initially, the vaccines will be available to health care workers, pregnant women, people who live with or care for babies younger than 6 months old, children from 6 months of age to 4 years old and older children with chronic health conditions like asthma. It then will be offered to all children and to adults with chronic health conditions.
Oklahoma County health officials have asked public schools to track and report absences, but don’t expect to close any schools unless an outbreak is severe.
Parents are urged to seek medical attention if their child becomes very ill or lethargic with shortness of breath, chest pain, bluish lips or prolonged high temperature.
Link with video
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-official...article/3399437?custom_click=headlines_widget
Oklahoma may be one of the first ‘to experience the brunt of H1N1,’ expert says
BY SUSAN SIMPSON
Published: September 9, 2009
Swine flu is accelerating in Oklahoma, and the number of cases likely will peak before vaccines are available in mid-October, state and local health officials said Tuesday.
State epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley addresses members of the media about state's reaction to current outbreak of the swine flu in Mexico and isolated areas of the United States Monday afternoon, April 27, 2009 at the Oklahoma State Department of Health in Oklahoma City. At left is Scott Sproat, chief, emergency preparedness and response. Photo by JIM BECKEL
That makes preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing and staying away from sick people, critical to slowing the spread of the pandemic.
State epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said the state is surveying several physician practices and labs across the state to estimate the spread of swine flu, also called H1N1. In five of eight regions, the number of people with flu-like illness increased at least 25 percent in the week ending Aug. 29.
"We are going to be one of the first states to experience the brunt of H1N1 this year,” Bradley said.
Only one Oklahoman has died of swine flu, but on average about 40 Americans are dying each week.
"It’s a sobering reminder that influenza is not an innocuous virus,” Bradley said.
Flu-like illness is described as having a temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, along with a cough or sore throat. Most doctors are not testing for flu, but telling patients with symptoms they likely have swine flu. Two-thirds of patients have been younger than 24.
The state is requiring physicians report all hospitalizations and deaths of patients with flu-like illness. Seven hospitalizations were reported since tracking started Sept. 1. Officials also are tracking whether hospitals can handle the strain of more people seeking emergency treatment.
The state has several scenarios for how H1N1 may track through Oklahoma. It may cycle through in one wave lasting eight to 10 weeks and infecting mostly young people. Additionally, a second wave of H1N1 could strike a different age group. A third scenario has one cycle of H1N1 followed by a wave of seasonal flu.
"There will be uncertainty throughout this pandemic,” Bradley said.
Once available, vaccines are recommended for all priority groups in Oklahoma, said Don Blose, chief of immunizations for the state Health Department. He said the shot is as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine and meets the same government oversight.
The vaccines will be distributed throughout the state to county health departments and physicians and will be free to patients, he said. About 450,000 doses are expected in the first shipment, with subsequent weekly shipments of 250,000 doses.
Initially, the vaccines will be available to health care workers, pregnant women, people who live with or care for babies younger than 6 months old, children from 6 months of age to 4 years old and older children with chronic health conditions like asthma. It then will be offered to all children and to adults with chronic health conditions.
Oklahoma County health officials have asked public schools to track and report absences, but don’t expect to close any schools unless an outbreak is severe.
Parents are urged to seek medical attention if their child becomes very ill or lethargic with shortness of breath, chest pain, bluish lips or prolonged high temperature.
Link with video
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-official...article/3399437?custom_click=headlines_widget