Health staff will continue to monitor for swine flu at local
schools in county
The San Benito County Public Health Department is currently
conducting ongoing monitoring and surveillance of schools for swine
flu and because some schools are back in sessions, a local health
official said there are increased chances of coming in contact with
an infected person.
Health staff will continue to monitor for swine flu at local schools in county
The San Benito County Public Health Department is currently conducting ongoing monitoring and surveillance of schools for swine flu and because some schools are back in sessions, a local health official said there are increased chances of coming in contact with an infected person.
“There is more of an opportunity to come in contact with someone who has H1N1,” said Sam Perez, San Benito County Health Education programs coordinator.
As of right now, there has not been a swine flu vaccine released to local agencies, but Perez said she thinks it could come out in late October or early November.
The department will host its annual flu vaccination clinic on Nov. 3 at the Veterans Memorial Building that is open to the public and free of charge. Perez said that she doesn’t know if vaccine will be for swine flu or for the regular seasonal flu but that there will be a vaccination available to address the flu “in some form.”
Public health is also talking with local medical providers about who would be willing to provide the vaccine, once it is released. It is also working with teachers and educators on what signs and symptoms of the virus for which to look.
One thing that Perez said public health has seen through monitoring H1N1’s behavior is that it is different from the regular flu.
“It spreads during hot and humid weather rather than in the cold like the regular flu,” she said.
Perez added that using universal precautions “are just key” to stopping the spread of the virus.
Swine flu is “more severe in young people,” Perez said, and the average age for cases of swine flu is 28 years old. However, there have been only three reported hospitalizations for the H1N1 virus and no deaths.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include:
– Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
– Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Perez said that if you are feeling any of these symptoms, stay home from work or school and if you are at severe risk of complications from the flu, the public health department suggests you seek out medical care.
The county public health department recommends that residents should take the following steps to avoid becoming ill with the flu or passing it to others:
– Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or the corner of the elbow for coughs or sneezes. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
– Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughs or sneezes. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
– Avoid close contact with sick people.
– Avoid social gatherings when ill or if medical conditions increase the risk for flu complications.
– Get immunized against seasonal influenza this coming fall.
If you have any questions regarding the flu, call the San Benito County Public Health Department at 637-5367. You can also visit the department’s Web site at www.sanbenitoco.org/ for the latest flu updates related to San Benito County.
