morningperson
Well-known member
Jamie McGriff Reporter
WHNT-TV
August 30, 2009
HUNTSVILLE - When it comes to battling the swine flu, the State of Alabama's taking a slightly different approach. State officials are said it's not always necessary to test for the H1N1 virus.
Dr. John Higginbotham is an emergency preparedness officer for the Madison County Medical Society.
He explained why the state is pretty much holding off on conducting anymore swine flu tests.
"Well the swine flu is gonna breakout with such a prevalence in our community that they've really just recommended that the state public health department that we quit specific testing every single suspected case," he said.
That breakout that he's talking about is expected this fall. Now health officials are going on the presumption, that if you have the flu, there's a good chance it'll be swine flu.
"There is a small death rate associated with this but it's going to be in particular circumstances where people are more susceptible, they have underlying illnesses, cardiac problems and diabetes," he said.
Even with that information Dr. Higgonbotham said people should relax, because health officials are keeping an eye on the swine flu as it spreads.
"They're taking the lead on this, and right now they've directed us to just go for presumptive diagnosis, but I think the specific cases will be with those who have more susceptibility," he said.
Those who are high risk can expect vaccines, which are on the way. Alabama will get its first doses in October and should have 2 million doses by December.
"They're going to probably go primarily to healthcare workers and to the susceptible population," he said
Most people will need two shots to be protected against the swine flu. Several schools in Morgan County have reported confirmed cases of type a flu which in most cases turns out to be H1N1. Dr. Higginbotham said down the road, there's a chance schools will offer vaccination shots, but that decision will be made later.
http://www.whnt.com/news/whnt-swine-flu-tests,0,4742698.story
WHNT-TV
August 30, 2009
HUNTSVILLE - When it comes to battling the swine flu, the State of Alabama's taking a slightly different approach. State officials are said it's not always necessary to test for the H1N1 virus.
Dr. John Higginbotham is an emergency preparedness officer for the Madison County Medical Society.
He explained why the state is pretty much holding off on conducting anymore swine flu tests.
"Well the swine flu is gonna breakout with such a prevalence in our community that they've really just recommended that the state public health department that we quit specific testing every single suspected case," he said.
That breakout that he's talking about is expected this fall. Now health officials are going on the presumption, that if you have the flu, there's a good chance it'll be swine flu.
"There is a small death rate associated with this but it's going to be in particular circumstances where people are more susceptible, they have underlying illnesses, cardiac problems and diabetes," he said.
Even with that information Dr. Higgonbotham said people should relax, because health officials are keeping an eye on the swine flu as it spreads.
"They're taking the lead on this, and right now they've directed us to just go for presumptive diagnosis, but I think the specific cases will be with those who have more susceptibility," he said.
Those who are high risk can expect vaccines, which are on the way. Alabama will get its first doses in October and should have 2 million doses by December.
"They're going to probably go primarily to healthcare workers and to the susceptible population," he said
Most people will need two shots to be protected against the swine flu. Several schools in Morgan County have reported confirmed cases of type a flu which in most cases turns out to be H1N1. Dr. Higginbotham said down the road, there's a chance schools will offer vaccination shots, but that decision will be made later.
http://www.whnt.com/news/whnt-swine-flu-tests,0,4742698.story