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H1N1 in Madera County and Other Information
Though most of the H1N1 cases in Madera County and the state have been mild or moderate, all flu viruses can be deadly and everyone should remain vigilant in helping to prevent the spread of H1N1 and seasonal flu. The H1N1 influenza is assumed to be present throughout ou County and Public Health staff continue to monitor the situation. Testing for the H1N1 virus is only done on cases involving hospitalization or fatalities.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of H1N1 by staying home from work, school and public events if sick; washing hands often; covering coughs; and contacting your health care provider if you or your family member has flu-like symptoms.
Children, aged 2 – 10 years will be the first to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The first and very limited numbers, of H1N1 vaccine doses have been shipped to private physicians and health clinics who registered with the state. At this time, The Public Health Department is not giving H1N1 vaccine and advises you to call your doctor for information.
Madera County Public Health advises the following:
- If you are sick, stay home from work or school.
- If you live with someone who is sick with flu-like symptoms, you may want to consider staying home.
- If you are sick or anyone in your family is sick with flu-like symptoms, do not attend large public events.
- Attending a public event may increase your chance of being exposed to an illness. If you do decide to attend a public event, use good hand and respiratory hygiene.
- If you have flu symptoms contact your health care provider. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. Flu symptoms include fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea.
- Only go to the emergency room if you have a medical emergency.
- We are recommending that only people ill with severe flu-like symptoms be tested for swine flu.
- We expect H1N1 vaccine to be available in the next few months. H1N1 vaccine will be available on a very limited basis for children, ages 2yrears through 10 years, first.
- We do not recommend treatment with antivirals unless your health provider advises you to do so.
- You can help protect yourself and your family by using the same simple steps used to prevent regular seasonal flu: Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, wash your hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, try to avoid contact with sick people.
- Masks: We are not currently recommending the general public wear facemasks. We are recommending that people who are sick with flu symptoms wear a facemask around others. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from others who may be sick.
If you have a question about the H1N1 virus, you can call the State Hotline number at 1-888-865-0564 between 8 AM and 5 PM. And, of course, you can call Madera County Public Health at (559) 675-7893 or 1-800-427-6897.
General information can be found on the following websites:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
http://www.flu.gov/
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/pages/swineinfluenza.aspx
Important websites with more specific information regarding the H1N1 vaccine:
Asthma Information for Patients and Parents of Patients
Patients with Asthma: Considerations for Clinicians Regarding 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
2009 H1N1 Influenza Shots and Pregnant Women: Questions and Answers for Patients
2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Pregnant Women: Information for Healthcare Providers
H1N1 (swine flu) Alert
(updated 7/14/09)
As of July 6, 2009, there have been 10 cases of H1N1 identified in Madera County. The California Department of Public Health urges residents to continue to take precautions against the spread of the novel H1N1 virus. In California 2009 cases have been identified, 233 individuals have been hospitalized and 23 deaths have occurred. Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health states that ongoing monitoring shows that California hospital admissions and emergency room visits due to the flu remain higher than what is normally seen during this time of year. Nationwide, there have been over 33,000 cases and 170 deaths. This number is thought to represent a small proportion of the total number of people who have been infected because many people who become ill do not seek medical care and those who do frequently are not tested. We still do not know how severe this pandemic will be in terms of how many people infected will have severe complications or death.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are very similar to seasonal flu and include, fever, headache, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. If you or anyone you know has these symptoms, you should stay home and call your health care provider to determine if you need medical attention.
To prevent spread of respiratory illnesses:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
Information regarding seasonal flu shot clinics will be posted as soon as that information is available as well as information regarding H1N1 vaccine. In addition, guidance regarding preventing and managing the novel H1N1 influenza in the workplace, when traveling, at summer camps and when pregnant have been developed and are available on the CDC website listed below.
For additional information see:
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
www.cdph.ca.gov
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Madera County Public Health
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