Skip to content
You are here: Home Area News Archive
Local Officials Prepared For H1N1 Flu
Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Tim Douglass - Pope County Tribune Publisher   
Monday, 11 May 2009 16:27
"For years, local partners have been working on preparedness for a pandemic, and we're ready to take guidance from the Department of Health on what to do," Braaten said.

Treat it like regular flu season

To protect yourself and your family, follow the same steps you would in trying to stay well during the regular flu season - October through May - stay home if you're sick, wash your hands often, cough and sneeze into your sleeve, get enough rest and overall, do what you can to take care of your health.

Braaten said her number one piece of advice to people is this: "Don't panic. We all have to do our share to be prepared. Take this opportunity to ask, 'Am I prepared to stay home for a few days, if necessary? Do I have medication and food?' If there's a plan in place for a family, that helps people to not be as panicky."

Anyone who feels sick should contact their health care provider and determine if they should be seen, particularly if they've travelled over the last week.

Schools


Minnewaska Area School have upgraded access to hand washing and sanitizing stations through the buildings. Everyone in the school buildings has been reminded of the importance of covering their nose and mouth if sneezing or coughing.

If a case is diagnosed locally, school and community leaders will determine there are ties to the school and if the schools should be closed.

Local health care facility


Glacial Ridge Health System has not had any reports of patients who tested positive for the H1N1 virus. According to Lab Manager Peggy Metz, GRHS is participating in the MDH Sentinel Site Program. "That means we are reporting additional data to the MDH daily. This includes total number of patients seen with ILI (influenza like illness), their ages, and their travel history. All samples from patients with ILI are being sent to the MDH under this program, regardless of their travel history."

Director of Nursing Lynn Flesner added, "If a patient calls in with flu like symptoms we are asking some pertinent questions and then we are asking them to wear a mask upon arrival. We are also trying to get them into an exam room immediately."

GRHS CEO Kirk Stensrud said, "GHRS is proactively putting in place all of the necessary measures to protect our staff, patients, and community should the spread of the virus move into our area.

"We are especially concerned as we have many seasonal workers that relocate to our area from the South during this time of year," he noted. "While we do not want to over-react or create unnecessary anxiety at this time, it is also important for us to be vigilant and prepared."

MDH: Care for yourself


As public health agencies across the nation continue to focus their efforts on containing the new virus, MDH officials are reminding people that we all have a role to play in limiting the spread of illnesses like H1N1 flu.

They are reminding people that you can protect yourself from influenza and other respiratory diseases by staying home if you're sick, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands thoroughly and frequently, and limiting your contact with people who you think might be sick.

Watching your own health can also protect you. If you have traveled within the past week to Mexico or other areas where H1N1 novel influenza is circulating, and you develop fever along with other flu symptoms, call your health care provider. Tell them about your symptoms and travel history.

For more information on novel influenza please visit the MDH web site at www.health.state.mn.us or contact your health care provider.

Members of the public with questions about the current international outbreak of H1N1 influenza can call the MDH hotline between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 1-800-657-3903.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, influenza H1N1 "is not transmitted by food. You cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products."

CDC issues guidance


Last week, the CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza.

According to CDC, the more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.