H1N1 Flu Update and Information

In an effort to keep the public informed, Dallas County Public Health and Dallas County Hospital have teamed up to provide updates on H1N1 (swine flu) activity. Both organizations continue to participate in calls and utilize daily resources provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health in order to prepare our communities. Additionally, Dallas County Hospital is currently working closely with the DCPH to help monitor and evaluate any suspected H1N1 cases that present at our hospital or clinic. Hospitals and health care organizations across the nation are continuing to take routine steps every day to prevent the spread of the infection. This includes good hand washing techniques; proper cleaning and disinfection of equipment and the environment and the use of appropriate isolation precautions as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.    

With the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 continuing to rise, and two probable cases reported in Iowa, concerns over the threat of an outbreak are heightened. Cases of H1N1 in the United States have been confirmed in California, Arizona, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Texas, Kansas, New York, and Ohio in the past week.  In addition, there are confirmed cases in several countries including neighboring Mexico and Canada. H1N1 is a unique strain of flu virus that is spread from person to person and has not been linked to contact with pigs or eating well cooked pork.

The symptoms of H1N1 are similar to symptoms of seasonal flu and include a fever over 100^oF, cough and/or sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. H1N1 may cause a worsening of an existing medical condition. Those who have recently visited an area where H1N1 has been confirmed, and develop symptoms within seven days, should seek advice from their healthcare provider. We encourage the public to evaluate their symptoms carefully and consider a visit to their family physician before they visit the Emergency Department to ensure that emergent care is available for the patients that need it most. 

If you feel ill, you should not go to work, stay home. If your children feel ill, do not send them to school.

Additionally, avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico. To help prevent further spread of the illness, avoid contact with persons who are ill, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, avoid touching or rubbing your nose, mouth or eyes with your hands and wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer.

Dallas County Public Health and Dallas County Hospital are encouraging those with further questions to call the service line established by the Iowa Department for Public Health.  The number, 800-447-1985, is answered twenty four hours a day. Additionally, for the most current information, please check the Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/) and Iowa Department of Public Health (http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/swine_flu.asp) websites.