|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Contact:
Sherri
McDonald,
Director-Thurston
County
Public Health and Social Services,
360-786-5201
Pandemic
Flu Information a Mouse Click Away
OLYMPIA
–
Thurston
County
officials have added
extensive information to the county’s web site regarding preparations for a
potential Pandemic Flu outbreak. The
information includes prevention measures, causes, impacts and responses to a
possible outbreak of a new strain of flu that could have a huge impact
worldwide.
Health officials across the world have been tracking an
outbreak of avian flu that has been impacting wild and domesticated birds and
has spread from birds to humans in about 200 cases.
Of those human cases about 50 percent of the victims died.
So far, the avian flu has not mutated so it can spread quickly from
human to human. It is that
potential, a pandemic (worldwide, new virus) flu outbreak, that has health
agencies concerned. Sherri
McDonald, director of Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, says
even though there is no outbreak right now, its prudent to prepare.
“We have no indication that the current bird flu outbreak will ever
evolve into a serious human illness, however, it makes sense to prepare as if
it will, so we can react more quickly and efficiently if it does.”
McDonald says such preparations have other benefits as well.
“Whenever we get ready for such emergencies, we try to maximize the
training so it will translate into preparedness for other similar
situations.”
McDonald says local government leaders in
Thurston
County
, as well as business owners and residents should take time to prepare for the
potential of a Pandemic Flu outbreak. “If
the pandemic comes, we could have 40 percent of the population at home due to
illness and other related issues. Attendance
at public venues may be curtailed and we could be forced to use quarantine and
isolation to curb the spread of the illness.
Families, businesses and individuals should have a plan in place to
account for the impacts and they should be prepared to take care of themselves
for several weeks if necessary.”
There are a few simple measures that everyone can begin
to practice now that will help to prevent spread of many diseases such as flu.
These include washing your hands with soap and water or using
alcohol-based hand sanitizer after using the bathroom and before preparing
food, cover your cough every time with your arm, and stay home if you are sick
so you don’t spread germs to others.
The new pages on the
Thurston
County
web site contain a lot of information including-
·
An explanation of Pandemic Flu and what it is.
·
An examination of the potential impacts of an outbreak.
·
Practical ways that citizens can get prepared and what
they might be expected to do during an outbreak.
·
Checklists for businesses and schools to help with
preparations.
·
Links to state and national resources on Pandemic Flu.
People can access the Pandemic Flu information on the
Thurston
County
web page at
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/Influenza/Pandemic.html
or by simply visiting the
Thurston
County
web page and clicking on the link on the opening page.
| 