Swine flu creeps into northwest Kansas
Published on -7/16/2009, 12:49 PM
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By KALEY CONNER
Confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu virus have been reported in several western Kansas counties, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Wednesday.
In northwest Kansas, seven individuals have become sick with the virus in five more counties: Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman and Thomas.
An earlier case was confirmed in a Gove County adult.
Local health officials are urging residents to take extra caution to prevent spreading the illness.
"It's the same advice that goes with any sort of flu," said Melanie Cooper, nurse administrator of the Sheridan County Health Department. "Common sense sort of things -- wash your hands, if you have a fever, an influenza-like illness, call ahead so the clinic can make preparations."
It's also important for individuals to cover their mouths during coughs or sneezes.
The county's first case of swine flu was confirmed this week in a child. While details were not released, Cooper said the family has chosen to isolate themselves at home.
No Sheridan County residents have been hospitalized, but health providers are continuing to monitor the situation, she said.
Officials are beginning to investigate how the virus might have found its way into the county, but Cooper said summer activities likely could be a factor.
"I think we have people who are traveling," she said. "That may be what some of our cases are, is people are traveling, and they're getting together for different things, different events."
Given the circumstances, Cooper also encouraged residents to avoid large crowds.
Farther north, the first case of swine flu in Rawlins County has been confirmed, also in a child.
Education and prevention efforts are continuing, as local health providers work to contain the virus, said Deanna Freeman, administrator of Rawlins County Health Center.
The family affected by the virus has entered voluntarily isolation, Freeman said, noting the county received notification from the state around noon Wednesday.
Individuals suffering from this strain of the flu are prescribed medications to help combat the symptoms, which include a fever, body aches, respiratory congestion and a sore throat.
"I think the symptoms they described are the ones we're seeing," Freeman said.
She added that health care providers also take preventative measures to protect themselves when working with potential flu patients.
In fact, county officials completed a pandemic trial as part of ongoing emergency preparedness training just last week, she said.
However, Freeman remains hopeful that one case will be the extent of the illness in Rawlins County.
"Everyone, I think, has just really been wonderful in trying to contain it," she said.
The first step everyone should take in preparing for the eventual swine flu H1N1 vaccine (if one become available in your area)is getting your seasonal flu shot first, which should be available at your doctors office or local hospital right now. People, lucky enough to get a H1N1 vaccine (because there are only 45 million doses expected to be available, leaving 250 million without) will need to get "two shots" over time so the body can build up resistance. Those at greatest risk are of course children and elderly people, followed by pregnant women. I would say also the uninsured are at a greater risk because they can't afford to go to hospital or pay for the flu shot or H1N1 vaccine.
(Posted by: Robert Tilford )
What you need to do: 7/22/2009
Because of the increase of H1N1 cases in Kansas, how it is spread and the coming of the flu season - I think we should assume that our local community will experience a confirmed H1N1 case, either now or in the immediate future. The question then becomes (apart from washing our hands more frequently) what are we going to do about it? This is where I think individuals have to begin now to prepare for themselves on how to best deal with the situation. Parents, for example should have a contingency plan in place to care for a child or family member should they get sick with the swine flu virus and you find yourself in the very difficult position of having to "self isolate" to help prevent the spread of the virus within your community. Public health officials, hospital administrators and doctors should be preparing for an influx of cases through out the community instead of necessarily waiting on the federal government to step in with some kind of a formal announcement on teh subject. They can do this now by ordering drugs like tamiflu in advance of actual cases. It is clear that we have to be more individually responsible and pro-active in our approach to addressing the problem.
(Posted by: Robert Tilford)
swine flu: 7/17/2009
People need to stock up on oinkment to treat the swine flu....
(Posted by: not a doctor)
Precautions to H1N1: 7/17/2009
The symptoms of swine flu or H1N1 is high body temps over 38C or 100.4F, include fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. Its also important to remember that people are catching swine flu in their local communities and spreading it that way. Precautions include recognizing symptoms and self isolating at home to restrict contact with others... It's relevant to remember that the incubation period for swine flu is up to 7 days. As well that swine flu can live on hard surfaces up to 24 hours. Public business should develop plans to combat swine flue by using Lysol disinfectant, and other antibacterial, anti viral cleaners such as bleach water...People can die of swine flu if they develop complications like pneumonia. If you think you have swine flu see a doctor - even if you don't have insurance. Your life or the life of others may be at risk. Unfortunently, the state of Kansas lags behind other states and nations in its attempts to combat the spread of the flu. In effect it has no plan to deal with the pandemic which is inexcusable from a public health standpoint. But it is what it is. County health departments are even less prepared. Local schools are also unprepared to deal with the swine flu. For example: janitors in schools are not switching to disenfectants to clean and combat the spread of the flu, teachers are, in some cases not using tissues and kleenex or using Lysol disenfecant spray on school desks and counters... And are not developing contingency plan for kids who may be at home sick with the flu - like homework so they don't fall behind. So you have to be proactive in your dealings with trying to fight the spread of the flu in your area. Treatment include paracetomol based cold remedies, Antivirals (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza)...
(Posted by: Robert Tilford)
: 7/16/2009
people need to remember to not take medicine for every little flu. your body will naturally kill the virus. and since this is a viral strain, antibiotics will not help much. people need to remember this since we have an overwhelming case of antibiotic resistant viruses. if we constantly use antibiotics, we wont have anything left that works when we need it for something serious.
(Posted by: ...)
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