Loading...With news about the swine flu (H1N1) pandemic being reported daily, those concerned about the virus, waiting for the vaccine to become available, may find it helpful, perhaps even reassuring to take a look at a flyer published by the Kentucky Community Crisis Response Board, “Coping with a Public Health Emergency."
Being fearful is not out of the ordinary, according to the brochure. “It is normal to feel anxious or worried about a spreading disease due to uncertainty and fear of the unknown,” the flyer advises. With a warning that people may become disconnected from family and friends out of fear, the flyer offers tips for finding reliable information about health risks and for managing one’s reactions to the situation.
In addition to recommending the flyer, the Rev. Karl Lusk, the Diocese of Kentucky’s emergency preparedness coordinator, shared a short list of things to know about and do in regards to the pandemic that may be helpful in putting the pandemic in perspective:
1. The H1N1 “swine” flu is here; 99 percent of the cases of diagnosed flu have been caused by the H1N1 virus; and the virus has caused 10 deaths in Kentucky. However, for most people, the H1N1 flu is not serious and, according to a state public health official, most are recovering without treatment.
2. People with flu-like symptoms need to stay home unless they are having trouble breathing, a high fever or other complications that require medical treatment.
3. People should call their primary care physician rather than going to a hospital emergency department if they need medical attention. Flu-like symptoms are not a true emergency.
4. H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is being distributed, though supplies are limited. Lusk advised that individuals contact their local health department or primary care physician for specific information about availability of the vaccine in their community.
According to a report given on Friday, Oct. 23, by the state commissioner of the Public Health Department, Kentucky has been allocated 177,400 doses, which he said would cover about five percent of the state population. The challenge, he said, is “to get it to the target population” (pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months old; health care and emergency medical services workers; and children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 and people with chronic health problems from ages 25 to 64 years old). At present, he said, there is more demand from the target population than supply. About 138,000 doses have been shipped to the state, but he added that more vaccine is on the way and it is arriving on a regular basis.
5. State health officials are recommending that people take both the seasonal flu shot and, when available, the H1N1 vaccine.
6. As a preventive measure, Lusk said, individuals should wash their hands frequently, cough into their sleeve and carefully dispose of tissues.
7. Do not panic, he advised. Follow a normal routine, and, he added, continue to say your prayers.
The Department of Public Health has a Kentucky influenza hotline from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. at 877-843-7727, and regular updates may be found at Kentucky Health Alerts. Included on that site is information about vaccine clinics that have been set up as well as audios and written reports from regular press briefings.
The brochure "Coping with a Public Health Emergency" is found at //www.kccrb.ky.gov.
