Shiloh
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Source: http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/suwannee/local_story_259131731.html
September 16, 2009 01:18 pm
Possible swine flu death reported in Suwannee
By Jeff Waters, Democrat Reporter
A Florida Department of Health official told Suwannee County Commissioners Tuesday that there may have been a death here from the H1N1 virus (swine flu).
"There could be a death but it's not confirmed," said Jerry Combass, Florida Department of Health public health preparedness coordinator for Suwannee, Lafayette and Taylor counties.
Combass appeared before county commissioners Tuesday night to ask permission to use one of the exhibition buildings at the Suwannee County Coliseum to be used for mass vaccinations for the virus in the near future.
Community Health Nursing Director Wanda Crowe said Wednesday that the Suwannee County Health Department has investigated the matter but has yet to confirm a fatality.
"The health department has investigated a rumor that there had been a death in a Suwannee County resident due to H1N1 swine flu," Crowe said by email Wednesday. "We have not been able to locate any information that would substantiate the rumor."
The local health department has also confirmed one more case of the virus here, bringing the total to six. However, the figure is misleading and the number of cases could be much higher.
"We have had six confirmed cases of H1N1 infections in Suwannee County residents, but the number of confirmed cases is not a good indicator of the prevalence of H1N1 anymore," said Crowe. "Routine testing for the H1N1 virus in persons with influenza like illness is no longer recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) of the Florida Department of Health."
The health department has to wait for the vaccine to be delivered before a time frame can be given on vaccinations.
"We do not know when we'll receive the vaccine," said Combass.
In a letter to commissioners, Health Department Administrator Pamela Blackmon said they could receive the vaccine "as early as the end of September 2009."
Vaccinations will be given out over a minimum of 12 weeks to five priority groups.
- Pregnant women
- First responders and health care providers
- Care givers of infants less than six months of age
- Children ages six months to 24 months
- People 25 to 64 years of age who have a chronic medical condition.
Combass said the H1N1 virus is different because of the way it easily transmits between people. He said about 278,000 cases have been confirmed nationwide with about 3,200 deaths. Seventy-seven of those deaths have been in Florida. He said 15 percent of the national death rate is of pregnant women.
If you have flulike symptoms, the health department asks that you stay home and away from others.
September 16, 2009 01:18 pm
Possible swine flu death reported in Suwannee
By Jeff Waters, Democrat Reporter
A Florida Department of Health official told Suwannee County Commissioners Tuesday that there may have been a death here from the H1N1 virus (swine flu).
"There could be a death but it's not confirmed," said Jerry Combass, Florida Department of Health public health preparedness coordinator for Suwannee, Lafayette and Taylor counties.
Combass appeared before county commissioners Tuesday night to ask permission to use one of the exhibition buildings at the Suwannee County Coliseum to be used for mass vaccinations for the virus in the near future.
Community Health Nursing Director Wanda Crowe said Wednesday that the Suwannee County Health Department has investigated the matter but has yet to confirm a fatality.
"The health department has investigated a rumor that there had been a death in a Suwannee County resident due to H1N1 swine flu," Crowe said by email Wednesday. "We have not been able to locate any information that would substantiate the rumor."
The local health department has also confirmed one more case of the virus here, bringing the total to six. However, the figure is misleading and the number of cases could be much higher.
"We have had six confirmed cases of H1N1 infections in Suwannee County residents, but the number of confirmed cases is not a good indicator of the prevalence of H1N1 anymore," said Crowe. "Routine testing for the H1N1 virus in persons with influenza like illness is no longer recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) of the Florida Department of Health."
The health department has to wait for the vaccine to be delivered before a time frame can be given on vaccinations.
"We do not know when we'll receive the vaccine," said Combass.
In a letter to commissioners, Health Department Administrator Pamela Blackmon said they could receive the vaccine "as early as the end of September 2009."
Vaccinations will be given out over a minimum of 12 weeks to five priority groups.
- Pregnant women
- First responders and health care providers
- Care givers of infants less than six months of age
- Children ages six months to 24 months
- People 25 to 64 years of age who have a chronic medical condition.
Combass said the H1N1 virus is different because of the way it easily transmits between people. He said about 278,000 cases have been confirmed nationwide with about 3,200 deaths. Seventy-seven of those deaths have been in Florida. He said 15 percent of the national death rate is of pregnant women.
If you have flulike symptoms, the health department asks that you stay home and away from others.