Health officials urge use of universal precautions to prevent
spread
San Benito County health officials reported that the county has
had its first fatality, an 80-year-old woman, from complications of
the H1N1 virus on Monday.
Health officials urge use of universal precautions to prevent spread
San Benito County health officials reported that the county has had its first fatality, an 80-year-old woman, from complications of the H1N1 virus on Monday.
The victim, a county resident, was hospitalized in another county and died Monday, according to a press release from the Public Health Division.
In San Benito County, there have been eight reported H1N1 hospitalized cases and one death. In California, the total number of hospitalized cases is 1,806 with 152 deaths as of Tuesday, according to the press release.
“First and foremost, we would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the family of this patient,” said Elizabeth Falade, the county’s health officer, in the release. “A death in our community reminds us that the H1N1 virus is widespread and among us. Although this should not be cause for alarm, everyone should remain vigilant in helping to prevent the spread of the flu, either from the yearly seasonal or the new H1N1 flu virus.”
The vast majority of cases of swine flu have caused mild or moderate illness and most patients fully recover. However, Falade said “the tragic California H1N1 deaths this spring and summer reveal that we are facing a global influenza pandemic and we need to continue precautions to protect ourselves, our families, our co-workers and our community.”
The San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency Public Health Division is making preparations to obtain and disseminate the H1N1 vaccine in San Benito County. The Public Health Division is working closely with the California Department of Health and the federal government to address all concerns relating to the spread of the virus and obtaining the vaccine, once available. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in November.
“The landscape is changing so rapidly that anything reported today is likely to change by the end of the week,” said Samela Perez, the emergency services coordinator for the health division. “Our intent is to keep the community informed and up to date on any revelations concerning H1N1 influenza. We are keeping in close contact with schools now that classes are back in session and planning out strategies to deal with two bugs, the seasonal and H1N1 influenza, in the coming months.”
The county’s Public Health Division recommends the following universal precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus:
– Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbows, sleeves or with a tissue. Dispose of the tissue after each use. Coughing into your hands can spread germs to others.
– Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; even after washing your hands.
– Avoid close contact with sick people.
– Stay home and away from others if you are sick.
A vaccine against the virus is currently in production and county health officials say it should be available in the late fall or early winter.
The symptoms of the virus are similar to the symptoms of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some patients have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with the H1N1 virus.
If you or someone you know develops symptoms of the virus, the release recommends following these steps.
– It is not necessary to be tested for the virus in most cases.
– Contact your healthcare provider by phone, especially if the ill person is an infant or a young child; or if you are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma or emphysema.
– Ask your healthcare provider about medications that may help relieve the symptoms of the flu.
– Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever – 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius – or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
– Get plenty of rest and drink clear liquids.
– Avoid close contact with others.
For more information on the H1N1 virus, visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at www.cdc.gov.
San Benito County will be holding a free influenza clinic on Nov. 3 at the Veterans Memorial Building in Hollister. Anyone wishing to receive a vaccination against the seasonal flu may do so at that time. Initially, the H1N1 vaccine will be preferentially given to children, pregnant women, health care workers and people with underlying medical conditions as the vaccine becomes available. Seniors and healthy middle-aged persons should get the seasonal flu vaccine shot or flumist. Doctors or pharmacists may be offering seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine, as well.
