UPDATE: As of early Monday evening, no cases of swine flu had been reported in Georgia, according to Georgia officials. More updates to come as the situation develops.
***
Although no cases of the swine flu have been reported in Georgia, Jackson County EMA officials are monitoring reports of the outbreak in other states. Jackson County EMA director Steve Nichols said Monday that local officials were "watching the situation closely" and are incontact with state GEMA officials who are also monitoring state and national health reports.
Officials monitoring swine flu outbreak
While no deaths from the new flu strain have been reported in the U.S., a number of deaths have been reported in Mexico where the outbreak appears to have begun.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided the below advise for state and local governments and citizens:
* Advising people to turn to their local public health officials for the latest information and instructions about the disease in their area
* Advising people to stay tuned to frequent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest information about the outbreak and the most current health guidance. Website www.CDC.gov/flu/swine
* Encouraging people to contact their public health offices and their physicians if they think they may have been exposed.
* Telling all employees to take everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Including:
* 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
* If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
* If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided the below advise for state and local governments and citizens:
* Advising people to turn to their local public health officials for the latest information and instructions about the disease in their area
* Advising people to stay tuned to frequent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest information about the outbreak and the most current health guidance. Website www.CDC.gov/flu/swine
* Encouraging people to contact their public health offices and their physicians if they think they may have been exposed.
* Telling all employees to take everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Including:
* 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
* If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
* If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Defined tags for this entry: mike
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks
