|
|
|
|
Month of November: Eighty-seven Confirmed Cases of H1N1 Flu Confirmed in Albany County. Albany County Health Officials and the Wyoming Department of Health have confirmed the Eighty-seventh case of H1N1 (Swine) influenza in Albany County. There have been a total of five realted H1N1 Hospitalizations in Albany County. Currently, there are no H1N1-associated hospitalizations in Albany County. Wyoming continues to see a decline in confirmed H1N1 cases. Because of this recent development, health officials are still reinforcing precautions you can take to prevent the spread of the flu. Albany County officials recommend washing hands frequently, and sneezing/coughing into a tissue or shirt sleeve. We encourage the public to be proactive in standard good hygiene habits and education about the flu. Further information is available on the Albany County website at www.co.albany.wy.us and from the Albany County Public Health phone number at (307) 721-2561. Number of Confirmed Case of H1N1 in Wyoming Residents now at 724. Testing at the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory has brought the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu (novel H1N1) virus in state residents to 724. Total flu counts of all types since May 24, 2009 is 4096; of those 724 are Type A H1N1, 17 are Type A H3N2, 3 are an unknown subtype of influenza A, 2843 were type A (non-subtyped), 35 were Influenza B, and 474 were unknown. To date, the Wyoming Department of Health has confirmed cases in twenty-two counties. Of the confirmed infections, 87 are from Albany County, 5 are from Big Horn, 34 are from Campbell County, 16 are from Carbon County, 9 are from Converse County, 2 are from Crook County, 86 are from Fremont County, 2 are from Goshen county, 3 are from Hot Springs, 5 are from Johnson, 131 are from Laramie County, 31 are from Lincoln County, 50 are from Natrona County, 0 are fron Niobrara County, 10 are from Park county, 8 are from Platte county, 120 are from Sheridan County, 29 are from Sublette County, 25 are from Sweetwater County, 19 are from Teton County, 32 are from Uinta County, 4 are from Washakie County, and 16 are from Weston County. The department expects the number of actual infections around the state to be higher because many ill persons do not seek medical care or are not tested. National H1N1 Case Counts The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is estimating a total of between 14 million to 34 million cases of the flu with approximately 98,000 hospitalizations with 3900 influenza related deaths. World Health Organization Update on H1N1 Pandemic As of this week, there have been more than 500,000 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1, greater than 10,000 deaths, in 199 countries and territories that have been reported to WHO. As more and more countries have stopped counting individual cases, particularly of milder illness, the case number is significantly lower than the actually number of cases that have occurred. H1N1 Influenza Description and Recomended Actions to Help Prevent the Spread of H1N1 Influenza H1N1 Flu (Swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. While swine flu viruses do not normally infect people, the strain of swine flu virus that is currently in the news has been confirmed to spread from human to human. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food and a person cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches and fatigue. Some patients have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Steps recommended to help prevent the spread of illness include: •Staying home from work, school or travel while ill with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and body aches. Those who are severely ill (such as having trouble breathing) should seek medical care. •Frequent hand washing with soap and water or the use of an alcohol-based hand gel. •Covering noses and mouths with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throwing used tissues in a trash can. •Avoiding contact with ill persons. •Persons at high risk for complications from influenza (such as persons 65 years or older, children younger than five years, pregnant women, and persons with chronic medical conditions) should consider avoiding crowded or large gatherings if ill persons may be present. Flu Decision Guidelines IF YOU HAVE FLU SYMPTOMS Use the following guidelines to help make the best decision for you and your loved ones. If you have questions or concerns,do not hesitate to call your Care Provider or come to the Emergency Room. ____________________________________________________________ SIGNS and SYMPTOMS FOR AN ADULT OR CHILD The person does not have a fever (temperature less than 38°C or 100.4°F), but does have these symptoms: -Sore throat -Stuffy nose - Runny nose - Cough DECISION: This is probably a cold. Rest is indicated. Treat symptomatically for comfort care. Follow up with your Provider as needed. ____________________________________________________________ SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS FOR AN ADULT OR CHILD The person has a fever over 38°C (100.4°F). The fever came on suddenly and is accompanied by these symptoms: -Cough -Sore throat -Significant fatigue -Headache -Muscle aches AND/OR SIGNS and SYMPTOMS FOR AN ADULT OR CHILD AT RISK OF COMPLICATIONS The person has a fever over 38°C (100.4°F) and belongs to a group at risk of developing complications (children under 2 years of age, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic diseases). DECISION: This is probably the flu. Rest at home until 24 hours after the fever is gone. Drink plenty of liquids and take fever reducers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Children with fever should not take aspirin. Follow up with your MD if symptoms persist or get worse. ___________________________________________________________ SIIGNS AND SYMPTOMS FOR AN ADULT OR CHILD The person has a fever and one of these symptoms: - Shortness of breath. - Difficulty breathing. - Painful breathing. - Vomiting for more than four hours. - Fever in a child who is too quiet and less active than normally or who refuses to play or is agitated. DECISION: This person should see their Provider or go to the Emergency Department for Medical Care Today. ____________________________________________________________ SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS FOR AN ADULT OR CHILD The person has a fever over 38°C (100.4°F) and one of the following: - Difficulty breathing that persists or worsens - Blue lips - Difficulty moving - Severe neck stiffness - Drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, or difficulty being roused - Convulsions - No urination for 12 hours - Fever in an infant under 3 months old DECISION: This person has an Emergent Medical condition and should call their Provider and/or come to the Emergency Department immediately for Medical Care. ____________________________________________________________ Swine (Novel H1N1) Flu Vaccine Distribution Underway As flu activity continues to be high across the state, the Wyoming Department of Health says swine (novel H1N1) vaccine distribution is underway in Wyoming at the same time delays in seasonal flu vaccine delivery are being reported here and around the country. “Vaccines are the single most effective weapon around to help fight influenza,” said Dr. Brent Sherard, Wyoming Department of Health director and state health officer. Wyoming flu activity is currently very high and is almost 100 percent due to the novel H1N1 flu strain. “For the best possible protection over the coming months, people will need to get the H1N1 flu vaccine and a seasonal flu vaccine,” Sherard said. “However we realize it will take a little effort and some patience for most people to get both of these immunizations. We ask residents to understand this flu season will not be business as usual.” “We believe enough H1N1 vaccine will eventually be available for all our residents who wish to be immunized, but the first shipments have been small,” Sherard said. “Individuals at higher risk for complications from this flu strain should be first in line for the available H1N1 vaccine.” Target groups include: • Pregnant women • Persons who live with or provide care for infants under the age of 6 months (This includes parents, siblings and day-care providers.) • Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel • Persons aged 6 months through 24 years • Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications Sherard reported 3,400 doses of the nasal spray form of H1N1 vaccine were shipped to Wyoming the first week it was available; 8,400 doses with both the nasal spray form and injectable vaccine arrived this week and 12,200 doses have been ordered for delivery next week. Shipments should continue to increase in the coming weeks. The Wyoming Department of Health is ordering the swine flu vaccine for shipment to approved providers with amounts based on population. To help ensure the available vaccine gets to those who need it most, county public health officials are coordinating much of the distribution. The federal government is paying for the H1N1vaccine; some providers may charge a small administration fee. Seasonal flu vaccine distribution is being handled as in previous years with private healthcare providers ordering much of the vaccine directly from manufacturers. “Unfortunately, we are hearing reports of delays in seasonal flu vaccine shipments both here in Wyoming and around the United States. At this time it does not appear to be a long-term shortage and we ask people to be patient,” Sherard said. Sherard also noted influenza vaccines have been available for many years and have a proven track record of safety. “Novel H1N1 vaccine is essentially no different. No corners were cut in its development,” he said. Of the total 1614 reported flu cases in Wyoming since late May, 419 have been confirmed as swine flu cases. Most other cases were not subtyped. Over the same timeframe, the department has received reports of 28 Wyoming hospitalizations in connection with the virus. The department expects the number of actual flu infections around the state to be much higher because most ill persons do not seek medical care or are not tested. Specific swine (novel H1N1) flu counts provided by the department only reflect cases confirmed by specialized lab testing as the H1N1 strain as part of the department’s ongoing surveillance activities. Actions recommended to slow the spread of illness include: • When available, get immunized with both a swine flu and a seasonal flu vaccine. • In general, people who develop influenza-like illness should stay home from work, school or travel until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever. Those who are severely ill (such as having trouble breathing) should seek medical care. • Avoid contact with ill persons. • Covering noses and mouths with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throwing used tissues in a trash can. • Frequent hand washing with soap and water or the use of an alcohol-based hand gel. Influenza symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches and fatigue. Some patients also report diarrhea and vomiting. Influenza viruses can be somewhat unpredictable. As the H1N1 Flu outbreak continues to unfold over the next several months, Ivinson Memorial Hospital will continue to serve our community. Our primary focus will be to continue to educate our community regarding the H1N1 flu situation, to maintain/sustain our emergency readiness, and to protect our community, patients, and staff. The local response to this global situation continues to be a cooperative effort in Albany County and has demonstrated our ability to respond as a unified emergency system. We are asking everyone to stay informed about future developments involving this new strain and to stay tuned for future advice from state and local health officials. Please check back regularly for updates as we will continue to post information that is relevant to our community. More information about the H1N1 is available online. Use Links below for the CDC and Wyoming Department of Health. Click Here for CDC Info on H1N1 Click Here for Wyoming Department of Health Information on H1N1. . |
|
||||||||||
| Ivinson Memorial Hospital, 255 N. 30th Street, Laramie, WY 82072, 307-742-2141 | |||||||||||