Ripley County Health Department -- Ripley County, Indiana

ABOUT US	Updated: May 11, 2009 A Workday- hours Flu Information Call Center has been set up and is open to receive calls and answer questions for the general public @: 877-826- 0011 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM Monday thru Friday FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2009 INDIANA REPORTS CONFIRMED CASE OF NORTH AMERICAN HUMAN INFLUENZA A (H1N1) INDIANAPOLIS---State health officials report test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed a case of North American Human Influenza A (H1N1) in northern Indiana. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm “We advise Hoosiers to practice normal precautions to avoid influenza and other respiratory diseases, such as frequent hand washing and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze,” said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe M.D. Dr. Monroe reminds the public to follow basic precautionary measures to prevent the spread of a cold, influenza, or any infectious disease, including: · Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, rather than your hands, if a tissue is not available. · Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. · Try to avoid close contact with sick people. · If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. The symptoms of North American human influenza A (H1N1) are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Dr. Monroe recommends individuals with mild symptoms of influenza should stay home and call their health care provider for advice. If symptoms become severe, such as high fever, trouble breathing, or inability to keep down fluids, they should seek medical care. Parents are also reminded they should not give aspirin to children with flu symptoms to alleviate fever, as it can put them at risk for Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver. “This is a novel human virus, which means we do not have a vaccine to prevent it,” said Dr. Monroe. “Individuals aged 65 and older or those with chronic diseases and immune deficiencies are at higher risk for severe complications from influenza, including pneumonia. If these individuals have not received the pneumococcal vaccine, they should discuss with their physician getting the vaccine.” The Indiana Department of Homeland Security announced the state's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) became active this morning. Media will be able to contact a public information officer at the EOC at (317) 234-6713. ### Elizabeth M. Hart Director of Marketing Indiana State Department of Health 2 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 EHart@isdh.in.gov Office: (317) 233-7090 Cell: (317) 518-9075 www.statehealth.IN.gov *************************************************************************** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Pat Thomas, Administrator, Ripley County Health Department PHONE: 812-689-5751 Date of release: April 27, 2009 State Officials closely monitor human cases of sWine inlfuenza A (H1N1) Ripley County Health Department: The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) are closely monitoring human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the United States. Ripley County Health Department and Emergency Management Agency are working closely with the Indiana State Department of Health and Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Welsh, Ripley County Health Officer, "Ripley County has a plan in place for just such an emergency and we will be assisted by local partners and response agencies”. In addition to intensifying surveillance among flu sentinel physcians in the state, the Indiana State Department of Health has also sent information out to public health workers over the Indiana Health Alert Network and will share with physicians the interim guideance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The IDHS is urging public safety professionals, including paramedics, EMTs, police officers, firefighters, and emergency management workers, to take necessary precautions to safeguard their health as they interact and preserve the safety of the public. We will continue to update you as information becomes available. What the public can do: Dr. Monroe, Indiana State Health Commissioner reminds the public to follow basic precautionary measures to prevent the spread of a cold, influenza, or any infectious disease, including: □ Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after yo use it □ Cough or sneeze into your sleeve,rather than your hands, if a tissue is not available □ Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alchol-based hands cleansers are also effective. □ Try to avoid close contact with sick people □ If you get sick, 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 that way. State health officials note swine influenze viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160◦F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses. For more information about swine flu: http>//www.cdc.gov/swineflu Additional information is also available by calling 1-800-=CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) Thanks for visiting the Environmental Division of the Ripley County Health Department. Our normal office hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday). However, there will be occasions when our office will be closed, due to the nature of our services. You may request services by leaving a message on our voice mail at the numbers listed below. Patricia A. Thomas – Health Dept. Administrator Environmental Health Specialist / Public Health Coordinator (812) 689-5751 Ext. 296 rchealth@ripleycounty.com Hazardous Chemical Spills Environmental Health Education Public Health Emergency Preparedness / Response Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Chair Traci Bauman - Assistant Administrator Environmental Health Specialist (812) 689-5751 Ext. 299 tbauman@ripleycounty.com Chief Food Specialist Animal Bite Investigator Public Health Emergency Response Preparedness Andrew G. Bryant Environmental Health Specialist (812) 689-0507 abryant@ripleycounty.com Animal Abuse Hazardous Chemical Spills Sewage Disposal Systems Environmental Complaints Public Health Emergency Preparedness / Response Andy Bryant's office hours are from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., with investigations and field inspections after 9:00 a.m. Wayne Peace Environmental Health Specialist (812) 689-5751 Ext. 299 wpeace@ripleycounty.com Mosquito Control Animal Bites / Abuse Swimming Pools Indoor Air Quality Environmental Complaints HAZ-MAT Spills LEPC Public Health Emergency Preparedness Sherri Schmidt Public Health Assistant (812) 689-5751 sschmidt@ripleycounty.com Holly Meador Public Health Assistant (812) 689-5751 HMeador@ripleycounty.com**
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WEB RESOURCES H1N1 FACTS: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2009