Swine Flu - Prepare for a Fall Comeback

After the initial hype a few months ago, the swine flu (H1N1) situation has faded into the background. If you haven't been directly affected, you probably haven't thought about it much for a while. However, the virus is still around and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are experiencing the highly unusual situation of people getting sick during the normally flu-free summer months. This portends the distinct possibility of a particularly severe fall flu season. A vaccine specific to swine flu is currently being prepared and predicted to be ready sometime this fall (October or November). Meanwhile, CDC recommends that people get the regular seasonal flu shot as soon as it becomes available.

In Washoe County, the swine flu has continued to infect people in increasing numbers. Since April 29, 2009, there have been 236 confirmed cases. The numbers have kept rising during the summer, with the large majority of cases occuring in the 5 to 24 age group. In response, the Washoe County Health District is developing plans to deal with a large outbreak feared likely to hit the area this fall. According to county epidemiologist Randall Todd, Washoe County expects to receive 172,000 doses of the anticipated H1N1 vaccine, obviously not enough for everyone. Other measures will include health education, virus surveillance, antiviral medications, contingency plans for businesses, and reduced social contact such as school closures.

When the H1N1 vaccine becomes available, CDC recommends these groups receive priority for immunization...

• Pregnant women
• Healthcare workers and emergency medical responders
• Children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years
• People caring for infants under 6 months of age
• People aged 25 to 64 years with medical conditions that may be complicated by flu

Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for up-to-date swine flu information. The Flu.gov / Nevada website is also a source for H1N1 information specific to Nevada, as is the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.

Source: Reno Gazette-Journal.

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