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| Swine flu pandemic declared |
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| No cases yet in Jefferson County |
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The World Health Organization told its member nations June 11, it was declaring an H1N1 flu pandemic -- the first global flu epidemic in 41 years -- as infections climbed in Australia, South America, the United States, Europe and elsewhere.
New county public health director, Tom Machala said, "This decision confirms that a new flu virus has emerged and is circling the globe. It will trigger drug makers to speed up production of an H1N1 flu vaccine."
WHO raised the pandemic warning level from phase 5 to 6 (its highest alert), to reflect the fact there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.
The decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.
WHO's pandemic announcement also added credibility to the recent federal, state and local activities related to the initial notice of H1N1.
"It served as a test of the recent pandemic readiness promotions held throughout the county," Machala said. Additionally, schools have been encouraged to review their pandemic flu plans for the upcoming year.
As this virus circles the globe, there are fears it may increase in its ability to cause more widespread severe illness than it is currently causing.
Presently, the illness is thought less severe than seasonal flu, which usually begins in late November and peaks in February.
But seasonal flu is responsible for an estimated 36,000 deaths each year and can cause severe complications for children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses especially heart and respiratory and people with a depressed immune system.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
A significant number of people who have been infected with this new H1N1 virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Jefferson County has not had any confirmed cases of H1N1 flu. The most recent report from the Oregon Public Health Laboratory showed that 168 cases of H1N1 swine influenza in 13 counties had been confirmed since the beginning of the outbreak.
The counties are Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Umatilla, Washington and Yamhill.
The largest numbers of reported cases were in Multnomah and Polk counties, with 50 and 41 cases, respectively. Statewide, the cases ranged in age from infant to 78 years, with an average age of 16. Public health officials continue to press the need to take the basic precautions to prevent the spread of all flu strains.
Jefferson County Public Health will be holding seasonal flu clinics in the fall as usual, plus many local health care providers and businesses will be promoting flu vaccinations.
Seasonal flu vaccinations are encouraged for everyone so that individuals may not get both H1N1 and seasonal flu together. Currently, there is no H1N1 flu vaccine available, but it could be ready by late December this year.
Jefferson County Public Health encourages the following steps everyday to protect your health:
. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
. Wash for 15 - 20 seconds.
. Alcohol-based hand wipes or gel sanitizers are also effective.
. Stay home if you are ill.
If you have questions, call Terry Kudra, Joy Harvey or Tom Machala 475-4456 at Jefferson County Public Health Department.
Further information about H1N1 can be obtained from the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.
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