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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2009
INDIANA REPORTS CONFIRMED CASE OF NORTH AMERICAN HUMAN
INFLUENZA A (H1N1)
INDIANAPOLIS---State health officials report test results
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have
confirmed a case of North American Human Influenza A (H1N1)
in northern Indiana.
“We advise Hoosiers to practice normal precautions to avoid
influenza and other respiratory diseases, such as frequent
hand washing and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue
when you cough or sneeze,” said State Health Commissioner
Judy Monroe M.D.
Dr. Monroe reminds the public to follow basic precautionary
measures to prevent the spread of a cold, influenza, or any
infectious disease, including:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, rather than your hands, if
a tissue is not available.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially
after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are
also effective.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit
contact with others to keep from infecting them.
The symptoms of North American human influenza A (H1N1) are
similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and
include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some
people have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea,
vomiting and diarrhea.
Dr. Monroe recommends individuals with mild symptoms of
influenza should stay home and call their health care
provider for advice. If symptoms become severe, such as high
fever, trouble breathing, or inability to keep down fluids,
they should seek medical care.
Parents are also reminded they should not give aspirin to
children with flu symptoms to alleviate fever, as it can put
them at risk for Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal disease
that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs,
especially the brain and liver.
“This is a novel human virus, which means we do not have a
vaccine to prevent it,” said Dr. Monroe. “Individuals aged
65 and older or those with chronic diseases and immune
deficiencies are at higher risk for severe complications
from influenza, including pneumonia. If these individuals
have not received the pneumococcal vaccine, they should
discuss with their physician getting the vaccine.”
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security announced the
state's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) became active this
morning.
Media will be able to contact a public information officer
at the EOC at (317) 234-6713.
www.statehealth.IN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pat Thomas, Administrator, Ripley County Health
Department
PHONE: 812-689-5751
Date of release: April 27, 2009
STATE OFFICIALS CLOSELY MONITOR HUMAN CASES OF SWINE
INLFUENZA A (H1N1)
Ripley County Health Department: The Indiana State
Department of Health (ISDH) and the Indiana Department of
Homeland Security (IDHS) are closely monitoring human cases
of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the United
States.
Ripley County Health Department and Emergency Management
Agency are working closely with the Indiana State Department
of Health and Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Dr. Welsh, Ripley County Health Officer, "Ripley County has
a plan in place for just such an emergency and we will be
assisted by local partners and response agencies”.
In addition to intensifying surveillance among flu sentinel
physcians in the state, the Indiana State Department of
Health has also sent information out to public health
workers over the Indiana Health Alert Network and will share
with physicians the interim guideance from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The IDHS is urging
public safety professionals, including paramedics, EMTs,
police officers, firefighters, and emergency management
workers, to take necessary precautions to safeguard their
health as they interact and preserve the safety of the
public.
We will continue to update you as information becomes
available.
What the public can do:
Dr. Monroe, Indiana State Health Commissioner reminds the
public to follow basic precautionary measures to prevent the
spread of a cold, influenza, or any infectious disease,
including:
□ Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after yo use it
□ Cough or sneeze into your sleeve,rather than your hands,
if a tissue is not available
□ Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially
after you cough or sneeze. Alchol-based hands cleansers are
also effective.
□ Try to avoid close contact with sick people
□ If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit
contact with others to keep from infecting them
□ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, Germs spread that
way.
State health officials note swine influenze viruses are not
transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from
eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and
cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an
internal temperature of 160◦F kills the swine flu virus as
it does other bacteria and viruses.
For more information about swine flu: Swine Flu
Additional information is also available by calling
1-800 CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
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Wayne Peace - 15 Year Member |
Member of the Year - Bob DeBurger |
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Ripley County Local Emergency Planning Committee
102 West 1st Street P O Box 423
Versailles Indiana 47042
Phone: 812-689-5751 (Ext 296) Fax: 812-689-3909
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