H1N1 Flu - What You Should Know


May 14, 2009 

The Kent County Health Department and Centers for Disease Control discontinued school closings connected to the new flu.  The following is part of a communication to our districts.  "Specifically, they no longer recommend closure based a single confirmed or probable case.  The Kent County Health Department fully supports these updated CDC recommendations.  We have contacted the Michigan Department of Community Health who have also have voiced their support for this new guidance.  They can be reviewed at the following link:http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/K12_dismissal.htm "

 

 FLU OUTBREAK INFORMATION

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have also been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count total is 3,352 as of May 14, with updates available at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.  Michigan has 134 confirmed cases.

SCHOOL PLANNING:   School planninginformation is available at: http://pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab5.html/.  Additionally, the American Red Cross and CDC have teamed up. Visit http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/home.asp for information. 

The swine influenza outbreak is evolving quickly and is no longer considered as serious as originally thought.  The CDC has planned for this situation and is vigorously engaged in the response and potential impact on oour communities. For more information, click on these links to official government sites.

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

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    • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

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    • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
    • If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
    • Read additional information to aid in the protection against the spread of Pandemic Influenza at http://pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/familyguide.html.

For more information on how you can protect yourself and your family, please visit the following CDC Web sites for important information to keep you posted: