County Issues Statement On Swine Flu
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim [email protected]
"The experience with North American Human Influenza A H1N1 is growing, including a case at Notre Dame," Remington said. "At this writing, there are no documented cases in Kosciusko County, although it is very likely that we will see cases here in the next several days."
According to Remington, cases of the flu in the U.S. have been relatively mild and not life-threatening.
"They typically resolve in a few days without any formal medical care required," he said.
Symptoms of the virus are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza. They include:
n Fever more than 100 degrees.
n Lethargy.
n Lack of appetite.
n Coughing.
n Runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Remington outlined steps to take to limit the spread of the illness.
"I believe, at this juncture, it is important to convey the importance of social separation of those who may be ill with this influenza," he said. "People who have a fever with a prominent cough and achiness should try to stay home until the fever is gone and they are feeling much better."
Remington said those experiencing symptoms should not go to work, school or other crowded community settings.
"This simple step will help more than anything else," he said.
According to Remington, wearing masks, taking antivirals, like Tamiflu or Relenza, and hospital medical care are only secondary precautions and are not as effective as social separation. Remington said these secondary measures are not needed for the vast majority of people with suspected influenza.
Remington included an appeal to area school administrators and employers to review their absenteeism policies to allow for the social separation strategy.
"If no other criteria, simply 'triaging' the requests based on the presence or absence of a fever would be a good start," he said.
Remington said county residents should pay attention as the situation with the swine flu develops.
"If this new strain eventually demonstrates to cause a high rate of very severe cases and/or death, then our public health directive may change," he said. "We all need to stay tuned to the developing story with this outbreak in the days and weeks ahead."
Remington said the health department is working with county emergency planners, the Indiana Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control to monitor the influenza situation.
"We are very tuned in with this outbreak," Remington said.[[In-content Ad]]
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"The experience with North American Human Influenza A H1N1 is growing, including a case at Notre Dame," Remington said. "At this writing, there are no documented cases in Kosciusko County, although it is very likely that we will see cases here in the next several days."
According to Remington, cases of the flu in the U.S. have been relatively mild and not life-threatening.
"They typically resolve in a few days without any formal medical care required," he said.
Symptoms of the virus are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza. They include:
n Fever more than 100 degrees.
n Lethargy.
n Lack of appetite.
n Coughing.
n Runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Remington outlined steps to take to limit the spread of the illness.
"I believe, at this juncture, it is important to convey the importance of social separation of those who may be ill with this influenza," he said. "People who have a fever with a prominent cough and achiness should try to stay home until the fever is gone and they are feeling much better."
Remington said those experiencing symptoms should not go to work, school or other crowded community settings.
"This simple step will help more than anything else," he said.
According to Remington, wearing masks, taking antivirals, like Tamiflu or Relenza, and hospital medical care are only secondary precautions and are not as effective as social separation. Remington said these secondary measures are not needed for the vast majority of people with suspected influenza.
Remington included an appeal to area school administrators and employers to review their absenteeism policies to allow for the social separation strategy.
"If no other criteria, simply 'triaging' the requests based on the presence or absence of a fever would be a good start," he said.
Remington said county residents should pay attention as the situation with the swine flu develops.
"If this new strain eventually demonstrates to cause a high rate of very severe cases and/or death, then our public health directive may change," he said. "We all need to stay tuned to the developing story with this outbreak in the days and weeks ahead."
Remington said the health department is working with county emergency planners, the Indiana Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control to monitor the influenza situation.
"We are very tuned in with this outbreak," Remington said.[[In-content Ad]]
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