What now/Prevention and health tips…

BY MARK FORMAN …..

There still have been no Colorado cases associated with the swine
influenza outbreak. CDC confirmed additional human cases of swine
influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the United States, bringing the
total number of U.S. confirmed cases to 40 in California, Texas, Kansas,
New York City and Ohio. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
declared a public health emergency in order to mobilize national
resources for addressing the situation.

At this time, just one of the U.S. cases was hospitalized and all the
known cases in this country have recovered. CDC notes that the virus is
being passed from person-to-person but there is not enough information
to fully assess the disease patterns. Epidemiologists are gathering
information in Mexico to determine why the disease has been so severe in
that country, while in the U.S., most of the cases have been similar to
seasonal influenza.

Every employee in the department can help share this important
information with friends and family:
1. While Colorado has no confirmed cases of the virus today, we
expect that to change, given the widespread presence of the virus in
other states.
● It is important to remember that at this time, in the U.S. the
swine flu is acting just like seasonal flu with relatively mild
symptoms.
● The status is changing so rapidly that it may seem as if there
is conflicting information. Flu viruses are extremely unpredictable and
variable; that means that recommendations may need to change as
frequently as daily.
2. This is a good time for all of us to review and update our own
preparedness:
● Be Ready: make sure you and your family are prepared for an
emergency that might require you to stay at home for several days, or
even up to two weeks. Have an emergency plan for your family.
● Be Healthy: Dr. Ned Calonge asks that all individuals with mild
flu-like illness stay home, regardless of travel history. Children and
adolescents with fever should not go to day care or school. Adults with
fever should not go to work. Anyone with severe illness, such as
difficulty breathing, should contact their health care provider. Take
these personal precautions to decrease your chances of getting the flu:
● Wash your hands frequently
● Cover your sneezes and coughs
● Avoid others with respiratory illnesses
● Be Informed: Stay up-to-date by consulting the CDC and CDPHE
websites. …..

Up-to-date information is also being posted on the CDC website,
http://cdc.gov/swineflu .

3. Colorado and federal health officials are taking aggressive
action to minimize the impact of the epidemic. In addition to requesting
antiviral medication from CDC, the department is:
● Monitoring flu-like illness rates.
● Providing guidance to local health departments, physicians,
hospitals, emergency medical services, businesses and schools.
● Gathering information from pharmacies about the availability of
medications
● Activating the department operations center to provide local
agencies with one point of contact.
● Providing information to the public through the media, the
website and by expanding the hours of the Colorado HELP (COHELP) from 7
a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week (1-877-462-2911)
● Advising Coloradans to consider postponing travel to Mexico.

Swine flu is passed from person to person and not from pigs or from
eating pork. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the
symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include, fever greater than
100°F; sore throat, cough and stuffy nose; and chills, headache, body
aches and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting
associated with swine flu.

The Real Pandemic origination and how they are made…

http://projectworldawareness.com/2009/04/the-real-pandemic-origination-and-how-they-are-made/