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RECENT
UPDATES:
Swine
Flu (Influenza A (H1N1)) Alert:
NAMI
PA Update #2
Please
read the following message and visit the suggested links for additional
information. Our intent is to provide factual information to keep
you informed and to reduce opportunities for panic. We will continue
to provide updates as appropriate.
Jim
Jordan, Executive Director
Influenza
is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing
or sneezing of infected people. If you get sick, CDC recommends
that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with
others to keep from infecting them.
Putting
things in perspective on Influenza:
Updates
and Facts:
-
The U.S.A. has 300 million people. Each year approximately 36,000
people are killed by Influenza (flu), or .012% annually. Generally
the most vulnerable are young children and the elderly.
-
Influenza is a serious respiratory illness which infects 200,000
people in the U.S. annually, or 5-20%. Symptoms include fever
(usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore
throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches. Stomach
symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur
but are more common in children than adults.
-
There are 6 levels of epidemics. The World
Health Organization (WHO) has put this outbreak at level 5,
and this signals that a pandemic is imminent. This virus is person
to person transmissible and has the possibility of community-level
outbreaks. This is a reason for concern and caution but not panic
or disorder.
-
The vaccine for this virus will take 4-6 months before it is ready
for wide distribution. At this time, prevention is the best strategy
for dealing with this outbreak.
-
29 April 2009 -- The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As
of 18:00 GMT, 29 April 2009, nine countries have officially reported
148 cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States
Government has reported 91 laboratory confirmed human cases, with
one death. No cases have been reported yet in Pennsylvania.
Preventative
Steps to take with Influenza:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze.
-
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after
you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
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