Press Release
JUNE 12th, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR
PHONE: 561-671-4013
FAX:
561-837-5197 |
PALM BEACH
COUNTY, FL – Palm
Beach County Health
Department is continuing its
surveillance and monitoring
of the H1N1 Swine flu virus
throughout the summer. The
World Health Organization
has now elevated this virus
to a level 6 and declared it
a pandemic.
The latest information shows there have been 417 confirmed
cases in Florida and no
reported deaths. Palm Beach
County has had 18 confirmed
cases and today is adding
its first probable cluster
as 21 from a camping group
of 41 became ill after
arriving at their North
Carolina destination. Nine
of the sick returned to Palm
Beach County Wednesday, and
six more from the group are
being treated in North
Carolina and are expected to
return with the remaining
campers this weekend. The
North Carolina Department of
Health confirmed two of the
six as H1N1 and with
additional test results
pending locally it is
presumed all 21 became ill
from the virus.
WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6
is a reflection of the
spread of the virus, not the
severity of illness caused
by the virus. It’s uncertain
at this time how serious or
severe this novel H1N1
pandemic will be in terms of
how many people infected
will develop serious
complications or die from
novel H1N1 infection.
Experience with this virus
so far is limited and
influenza is unpredictable.
However, because novel H1N1
is a new virus, many people
may have little or no
immunity against it, and
illness may be more severe
and widespread as a result.
In addition, currently there
is no vaccine to protect
against novel H1N1 virus.
Health Department Director,
Dr. Jean Malecki said, “We
will continue to monitor the
number of H1N1 and other flu
cases in our county
throughout the summer
months.”
Dr. Jean Malecki, health
department director
recommends the following:
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.
If you think you have influenza, please call your health care
provider or the health
department at 840-4500 and
discuss whether you need to
be seen in their office,
emergency department or stay
home. Three websites are
also updated regularly
www.pbchd.com
,
www.cdc.gov,
www.doh.state.fl.us
locally information can be
obtained by calling 211.
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