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North Florida counties plan for H1N1 swine flu outbreak
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| By: James Williams, Monitor Editor |
August 21, 2009 |
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Last Monday, Keystone Heights Emergency Planner John Ward told the Keystone-Lake Region Business Association about Clay County's preparations for the possibility of a fall swine flu epidemic. He didn't stay long enough to present his PowerPoint presentation-he had to run off to another meeting on the subject.
As of 10 a.m., July 29, Florida had seen 3,321 reported cases of the H1N1 virus since the beginning of the year. Most troubling, however, was the report that 584 of those cases had been reported in the latest eight-day period.
The implication, epidemiologists were saying, was that the possibility of a swine flu epidemic was growing. So far, there have been 34 deaths from the flu in Florida.
Health officials are particularly concerned about the fact that the H1N1 showed up in summer camps around the state-none of them here in the Lake Region. Now it's time for school to begin and there's no possibility of a vaccine until mid-October.
As of July 29, Alachua County had reported 64 cases; Bradford had seen just two, Clay had seen 14 (and one death reported Aug. 14), and Putnam and Union counties had only reported one each. Duval County has also seen 64 cases and three deaths.
Ward's printed materials, compiled by the Center for Disease Control, the Department of Health and state and county health offices showed that, so far, the highest incidences of the flu have been in south Florida, especially in the Miami and Orlando areas.
Dade County alone has seen 963 reported cases. Broward County reported 330 and Palm Beach County 329.
Ward said Clay and other local counties will receive a shipment of the swine flu vaccine, once it's clinical trials are complete in mid-October.
Between 40 million and 160 million doses of the vaccine will be manufactured and distributed at start-up. Ward said he expected to see the vaccine available for voluntary vaccination in public schools as soon as it is released. State health officials expect to receive 4.8 million doses of the vaccine at start-up, with additional doses to be received each week thereafter.
Unlike seasonal flu, the H1N1 virus seems to affect children and young adults, and for unknown reasons doesn't appear to affect the elderly as often unless they have underlying chronic health and respiratory problems.
Once the vaccine arrives, the Clay County Advisory Committee is suggesting that the first vaccinations will go to pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months of age, health care and emergency service workers and people between the ages of six months and 24 years.
People aged 25-64 who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems will also be vaccinated. These include the obese and people with asthma and other chronic diseases.
By now, more than one million Americans, including 60,000 Floridians, have been infected with the flu virus.
The advisory committee is especially concerned that the public understands the difference between seasonal flu and the H1N1 swine flu virus. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu.
The Center for Disease Control estimates that about 36,000 Americans die from complications of seasonal flu each year. So far, 34 deaths from H1N1 swine flu have been reported in Florida. Most people recover from an H1N1 infection without medical intervention. At present, swine flu is still considered to be a relatively mild strain; however, health officials say they cannot predict what will happen in the future.
Fighting the flu: What you should know
The Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control has recommended that, as always, people with respiratory illnesses should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections to others in the community.
Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
People with cough, fever and fatigue, possibly with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.
If you think you have influenza, officials say, call your health care provider and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office or emergency department or stay home.
Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food and a person cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products. The infections appear to spread from person to person.
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©Bradford County Telegraph 2010
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