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CALHOUN'S EMERGENCY PLANNING COUNCIL DISCUSSES FLU WARNING - Stay Informed, Take Precautions |
| (05/04/2009) |
 Calhoun's LEPC members discuss flu preparedness Calhoun's Local Emergency Planning Council met Friday to discuss preparedness for a possible Swine Flu epidemic, now being renamed H1N1 flu. The virus, while not appearing to be among the most virulent strains to come along, has been the subject of 24-7 news cycles, with health care professionals and providers around the country. The World Health organization has bumped the strain to Level 5, which has given the virus a lot of attention. The latest tally shows that the virus is in 35 US states, with 245 cases confirmed. "It's always best to take a threat seriously," said Calhoun's OES Director Kathy Woods, "particularly in our rural area where resources are often spread thin." Older Calhoun residents are fearfully recalling the flu epidemic of 1918-19, which killed large numbers of local residents, millions world-wide. During Friday's meeting, Bill Ellis of Minnie Hamilton Health System, said "The public doesn't need to be scared, but everyone needs to be concerned and informed." Ellis said many things have changed for the positive since the 1918-19 epidemic. During a typical flu season 200,000 Americans are hospitalized and 38,000 die. Ellis says some experts are concerned the outbreak will come to the surface during the traditional fall and winter flu season. After a week of alarming reports and the likelihood of a pandemic, Obama administration officials said Sunday there are indications that the influenza will not prove to be as lethal as initially feared, and said there is no reason for healthy people to avoid traveling or to wear protective masks. "We're seeing encouraging signs that this virus so far is not looking more severe than a strain that we would see in seasonal flu," said Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Members of Calhoun's LEPC said the county has a plan to deal with such epidemics if they arrive locally. Woods said, "Right now, it's important for everyone to follow the hygiene guidelines." Information is widely available on the Internet. See also ... Minnie Hamilton Health System
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