Press Release
APRIL 30th, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR
PHONE: 561-671-4013
FAX:
561-837-5197 |
PALM BEACH
COUNTY, FL – To date no
cases of the Influenza A
H1N1 flu have been
identified in Florida. 11
states within the U.S.,
according to the federal
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention along with
several countries have
confirmed cases.
“I would like to emphasize
that there are many good
precautions people can take
to prevent getting the flu.
I encourage all to wash
their hands regularly, cover
your nose and mouth when
coughing or sneezing and
stay home if you are sick,”
said Jean Malecki, MD,
Director, Palm Beach County
Health Department. “I would
also like to add that
protective masks and
respirators are not
warranted or encouraged to
be worn at this time.”
The CDC on its website has
also recommended that masks
should not be worn and is
continuing its studies on
the actual protection from
the flu they may provide.
Children may develop
respiratory problems if
their breathing is impaired,
others can develop rash,
infections and other
problems with extended use
as evidenced following the SARS outbreak several years
ago.
Dr. Malecki added that Palm
Beach County has been
preparing for several years
for a flu event that affects
a broad area occurs.
The State
of Florida has also prepared
for influenza events:
-
All state laboratories
have the facilities to
safely identify
influenza samples and
the health department is
prepared to facilitate
the handling of those
samples.
-
The state has almost 100
sentinel physicians who
report any unusual
influenza like activity
to DOH and the CDC. Palm
Beach County has five
sentinel physicians from
the group.
-
We have the ability to
monitor the sale of over
the counter drugs, as an
early warning sign for
increased influenza
activity.
The Palm Beach County Health
Department is providing the
following recommendations:
-
As always, people with
respiratory illness
should stay home from
work or school to avoid
spreading infections,
including influenza, to
others in the community.
-
Avoid close contact with
people who are coughing
or otherwise appear ill.
-
Avoid touching your
eyes, nose and mouth.
-
Wash hands frequently to
lessen the spread of
respiratory illness.
-
People experiencing
cough, fever and
fatigue, sore throat,
possibly along with
diarrhea and vomiting,
should contact their
physician.
-
If you think you have
influenza, please call
your health care
provider and discuss
whether you need to be
seen in their office or
emergency department or
stay home
H1N1 influenza is not
transmitted by food or from
eating pork products. The
infections appear to spread
from person to person. Drugs
called antivirals can reduce
the consequences of
contracting the flu, if
taken early.
Palm Beach County Health Department is prepared to answer
questions as the heightened
surveillance for H1N1flu
continues. Residents can
contact any of our Health
Centers in Jupiter, West
Palm Beach, Lantana, Delray
Beach, Belle Glade and
Pahokee or through the main
number at 561-840-4500. Two
websites are also updated
regularly
www.pbchd.com
or
www.cdc.gov.
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