Small Town News

Morris County health reps make plans to counter threats of HIN1

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Representatives from Morris County Hospital, Morris County Health Department, Council Grove Healthcare Center, Council Grove Assisted Living, Chase County Health and Rehabilitation Center, and the Morris County Emergency Manager met Friday, August 21st to discuss and finalize plans to counter the possible threats from the novel H1N1 Influenza A virus as the coming flu season gets underway in Kansas. Common goals identified at the meeting are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to the public in addressing the challenges posed by this newly identified influenza virus.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include: feyer greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce spread: wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues, stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.

At this time there has been one Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) confirmed case of H1N1 in Morris County. KDHE is no longer accepting specimens from everyone who sees a doctor with symptoms. In non-hospitalized cases, confirmatory testing does not affect treatment and advice given to patients by health care providers. Unreported cases of H1N1 are occurring across Kansas and throughout the U.S. Although the presence of H1N1 has been confirmed in certain geographic areas through analysis by the state laboratory, this should not be taken to mean that the virus is not present elsewhere.

At this time, clinical trials for H1N1 vaccine are underway, with plans for the vaccine to be available in Kansas sometime in October or possibly sooner.

If approved, the H1N1 vaccine will initially be made available to individuals in certain groups, with 100 doses being sent to Morris County in mid to late October. These groups have been identified as having the highest risk of severe illness with the H1N1 virus. The groups identified in the guidance are as follows: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months of age, all children and young adults ages 6 months through 24 years, healthcare personnel, people aged 25-64 years with higb-risk medical conditions.



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© 2009 The Prairie Post White City, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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