State preps for swine flu
, News Editor
09-09-2009
Last Thursday Governor Bobby Jindal met with members of Unified Command Group (UCG), consisting of leaders across state agencies, to discuss the state’s swine flu preparation efforts.
Louisiana is just one of many states trying to educate citizens and address concerns regarding the virus before the fall flu season. As recently as last week people in the state are still being diagnosed with virus, including a student at Dubach High School who was diagnosed last Thursday.
“We are taking many precautionary steps across state agencies to prepare for an expected increase of the H1N1 virus as we enter fall and the flu season,” Jindal said. “Our efforts include working across state government to develop a public information campaign on preventing the spread of illness and where and when folks can go to get a H1N1 vaccine, once it is approved and distributed by the federal government to our state.”
Vaccines are set to be available early fall by the federal government. Once the vials arrive, the state will begin implementing a distribution plan.
“DHH (Department of Health and Hospitals) is planning to distribute Louisiana’s share of the federally manufactured H1N1 vaccine to providers and partners for distribution,” Jindal said. “This includes pediatricians, OBGYNs, internal medicine physicians, family practice physicians, retail pharmacies, other vaccine for children providers, the Department of Corrections, the U.S. Veterans Administration and other military partners.”
Public health units, school-based health centers and school nurses and rural health clinics will also have the vaccine. Vaccines will only be immediately available to health care workers, school-ages children, caretakers of young children, pregnant women and non-elderly adults with chronic medical conditions.
As it currently stands the Center for Disease Control estimates 99 percent of all influenza activity in the US is due to H1N1 also known as swine flu. The CDC is also reporting that current visits to doctors for influenza-like illness are down from April, but are higher than what is expected in the summer. Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness were highest in February during the 2008-09 flu season, but rose again in April 2009 after the new 2009 H1N1 virus emerged.
“We will continue to work closely across state government, and in coordination with our federal partners to ensure we are doing everything possible to take steps now to prepare and protect the health and wellbeing of our people,” Jindal said.
A total of 8,843 hospitalizations and 556 deaths associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) have been reported to CDC, while the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was low and within the bounds of what is expected in the summer. Louisiana has seen approximately 30,000 cases since April and three deaths connected to the virus.
“Louisiana is leading the effort in preparing for the spread of H1N1 virus in the upcoming flu season and we must continue to take whatever steps we can to protect Louisianians and inform folks about preventing the spread of this virus,” Jindal said.
Union Parish School Board superintendent Steve Dozier said they are primed and ready to take whatever precautions to prevent the spread of the virus through the district.
“If a kid in one of our schools goes down and starts showing symptoms we will take immediate action,” Dozier said. “If a case is confirmed as swine flu, we will recommend to the parent that their child be out of school for seven days so that the virus has time to get out of the child’s system.”
The important thing noted by both men is the strong need to keep the virus at bay.
“We need to take all precautions including washing hands frequently and anything else to make sure that people are safe,” Dozier said. “We want to do whatever we can to curb absenteeism and keep our kids in school and learning.”
Other Top Stories
