Be Prepared - Not Scared
H1N1 Message from Leavenworth County Health Department (08.10.2009)
Classes have been out of session for a few months now and hopefully students and their families have enjoyed the break. Unfortunately, the H1N1 virus has not taken much of a break. That strain of influenza has remained active in Kansas and the rest of the United State, and in some areas of the globe it has really picked up steam. Health officials have been very busy over the past months tracking the virus. Their observations indicate that 80% of the cases are occurring in people who are 35 years old and younger. Younger children seem to be affected most. Leavenworth County currently (as of August 13, 2009) has only 3 cases that have been confirmed. However, Health Department staff members believe that there have actually been more cases in the county, they just haven’t been confirmed with a laboratory test.
The Leavenworth County Health Department has been working hard this summer to keep up with the ever changing information regarding H1N1 and to plan for a possible reemergence of the illness in the fall. Health Department staff members have been keeping in touch with representatives from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to make sure that we are as up-to-date as possible on the H1N1 situation and the guidance being developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and by KDHE. In addition, the Health Department has been working with organizations in the community to develop partnerships to help with vaccinations for H1N1 when the vaccine is released. Plans have been developed for a variety of possible situations that could arise in the fall (i.e., the illness remains mild or the illness becomes more severe).
As we all head into the fall and a new school year, the Leavenworth County Health Department would like everyone to be aware of the steps that we all need to take to stay healthy:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water and/or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Know the symptoms of H1N1: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, fatigue and even diarrhea and vomiting are possible.
- Stay away from people who are ill.
- Do not share personal items such as toothbrushes, cups, etc.
- If you have to cough or sneeze, cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow.
- If you do become ill, stay home until you are fever free for at least 24 hours so that others are not exposed.
For more information on H1N1 please go to the KDHE website, www.kdheks.gov/H1N1.
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